Telangana Government Orders Agriculture Committee for Seed-to-Procurement Plan
The Telangana government has directed officials to implement a comprehensive agriculture plan covering everything from seed distribution to crop procurement. Reviewing the state's agricultural preparedness, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy ordered the creation of a special committee to monitor every stage of the farming cycle.
The latest update signals a shift towards tighter monitoring, technology-driven agriculture management, and smoother grain procurement for farmers.
At a review meeting held in Hyderabad, the Chief Minister said the Agriculture Department must have complete information on crops from the sowing stage itself. Farmer registration, crop records, yield estimates, and procurement data should be tracked continuously, he said.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao and Duddilla Sridhar Babu, senior officials, and representatives from key departments.
Agriculture Committee to Monitor Crop Procurement
A key decision taken during the review was the formation of a high-level committee led by the Agriculture Secretary. The committee will include the Agriculture Director, Civil Supplies Managing Director, and Planning Department Secretary.
As per officials, the panel will oversee seed distribution, farmer data collection, crop acreage records, production estimates, and grain procurement. It will also recommend safeguards and operational measures to prevent disruptions during the procurement process.
The Chief Minister directed officials to maintain accurate village-level records detailing which crops are cultivated, by whom, and across what extent of land. Field verification has been made a priority under the new system.
Telangana Grain Procurement Strategy Gets Early Push
Drawing from previous grain procurement experiences, the government reviewed suggestions submitted by the Farmers' Commission, the Agriculture University, and agricultural experts.
Officials were instructed to prepare in advance for issues such as unseasonal rains, weighing procedures, transportation, storage, and marketing. The objective is to ensure that farmers do not face difficulties during procurement operations.
The government also asked departments to ensure procurement takes place smoothly in line with Minimum Support Price (MSP) norms and central allocation guidelines.
Seed Distribution Through Rythu Vedikas
The Chief Minister directed officials to make seven varieties of fine rice seeds available on subsidy for farmers cultivating fine paddy. The move comes as the state continues its bonus support programme for such farmers.
These seeds will be distributed through Rythu Vedikas, which the government now wants to transform into farmer service centres.
Farmers should be able to register their details and purchase seeds and fertilisers at these centres, the Chief Minister said. He also suggested deploying officials from the Agriculture, Revenue, and Police departments at every Rythu Vedika to assist farmers.
District Additional Collectors have been assigned responsibility for supervision and monitoring.
AI-Based Agriculture Monitoring Under Review
The government has also placed emphasis on technology adoption in agriculture.
Revanth Reddy instructed officials to increase the use of artificial intelligence and digital systems across the agricultural ecosystem. The Agriculture University will function as the nodal agency for integrating technology from seed distribution to crop procurement.
The Chief Minister further ordered a study of the AI pilot project launched in the Dummugudem area of the Bhadradri Kothagudem district. If the results are found beneficial, the model may be expanded further.
Fertiliser Distribution App Planned
To improve transparency and speed in fertiliser distribution, the government plans to introduce an app-based booking system for all fertilisers, including urea.
Farmers will be able to book fertilisers through the application and collect them via Rythu Vedikas. Responsibility for urea distribution has been assigned to district additional collectors.
The Chief Minister also asked Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao to maintain regular communication with the Centre regarding fertiliser allocations required for the upcoming Kharif season.
He directed officials to press for a larger share of fertilisers produced at the Ramagundam fertiliser plant to be allotted to Telangana. The state government may also send a team of ministers and MPs to New Delhi if additional intervention becomes necessary.
Government Reviews Cooperative Institutions
The meeting also reviewed the financial position of Markfed and Oilfed.
The Chief Minister said strategic intervention by the government had reduced losses in maize procurement this year. He pointed to improved tender rates compared with previous years and directed officials to strengthen cooperative institutions and move them towards profitability.
He also stressed the need to strengthen the state dairy sector and ensure timely payments to milk producers.
With the new agriculture committee, seed distribution reforms, fertiliser monitoring and AI-based systems, the Telangana government is attempting to streamline crop procurement and improve service delivery to farmers ahead of the coming agricultural seasons.