Hyderabad:
Chairing a high-level review meeting at the MCRHRD Bodhi Pavilion, the Chief Minister reviewed suggestions from the Farmers’ Commission, Agriculture University and agricultural experts on streamlining paddy procurement and improving support systems for farmers.
To ensure smooth procurement from the next agricultural season, Revanth Reddy ordered the formation of a special committee headed by the Agriculture Secretary. The committee will include the Agriculture Director, Civil Supplies Managing Director and Planning Department Secretary. It will monitor activities ranging from seed distribution and farmer registration to crop assessment and procurement, while also integrating modern technology into the process.
The Chief Minister directed officials to maintain accurate village-level records detailing crop cultivation patterns and acreage through field verification. He also instructed departments to prepare in advance for challenges such as unseasonal rains, transportation, storage, weighing and marketing during procurement operations.
With the government offering a bonus for fine rice varieties, Revanth Reddy ordered the availability of seven varieties of fine paddy seeds at subsidised rates. These seeds, along with fertilisers, should be distributed through Rythu Vedikas, which he said must be transformed into farmer service centres. Farmers should be able to register their details and access agricultural inputs at these centres. Officials from the Agriculture, Revenue and Police departments should be available at every Rythu Vedika, while Additional Collectors will supervise their functioning.
Emphasising technology-driven agriculture, the Chief Minister called for greater use of Artificial Intelligence and directed that agricultural universities serve as nodal agencies for integrating technology across the entire farming ecosystem. He also ordered the introduction of an app-based fertiliser booking system and said urea booked through the app should be distributed via Rythu Vedikas.
Revanth Reddy further instructed officials to press the Centre for adequate fertiliser allocations for the Kharif season and seek a larger share of production from the Ramagundam fertiliser plant. He also called for measures to strengthen MARKFED, Oilfed and government dairy operations while ensuring timely payments to dairy farmers.
