Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao Seeks Fertiliser Subsidy Reforms, Stronger Farmer Support

Telangana Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao has urged the Centre to rationalise fertiliser prices and subsidies, provide additional financial assistance and strengthen support for farmers facing drought-like conditions and the impact of El Niño.

Speaking at a video conference chaired by Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday, Thummala outlined the challenges confronting the state's agricultural sector and sought urgent measures to protect standing crops and farmers' livelihoods.

The state will organise the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ from October 22 to November 30 across villages, with the support of agricultural institutions and university personnel. The campaign will focus on crop protection, efficient water use and weather-based farming advice.

Thummala said 315 mandals were experiencing drought-like conditions due to inadequate rainfall and El Niño. He stressed the need to assess crop conditions and use available water resources efficiently. The state government has directed officials to ensure uninterrupted irrigation water and electricity supplies until crops are harvested.

Seeking immediate central assistance, the minister called for additional budgetary allocations for micro-irrigation and seeds for short-duration crops. He said advance planning was essential to minimise weather-related crop losses.

To encourage crop diversification, Thummala urged the Centre to guarantee procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for maize, jowar, pulses and oilseeds. He particularly stressed support for maize and jowar and sought the removal of the 25 per cent procurement ceiling under the Price Support Scheme.

He also called for increased funding under the employment guarantee programme to support farmers and agricultural labourers during droughts, with priority given to water conservation and land development works.

Highlighting fertiliser-related concerns, Thummala said heavy subsidies had made urea cheaper than other fertilisers, encouraging excessive use and harming soil health. He urged the Centre to rationalise fertiliser prices and subsidies without increasing farmers' financial burden and promote balanced fertiliser application to preserve soil fertility and ensure sustainable agricultural production.