Telangana’s Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao recently announced that the state has managed to procure every single grain of crop from farmers despite the prevailing crisis of coronavirus. Consequently, the state has managed to procure jowar, sunflower, and chickpea along with paddy and maize and will also be available for purchase, as per the CM.
“It has never happened in the history that any State has procured the entire crop during such times. No other in State in India is purchasing all crops produced by farmers like Telangana. There has been a concern everywhere about “World Ration” because of the pandemic. But we understand the importance of agriculture. We extended the release of water till April 15. Now there is bumper jowar, sunflower, and chickpea crop as well, and hence, will purchase these too,” added the CM.
Elaborating more about the paddy procurement in the state, he said, “Kaleshwaram water has reached Siddipet and the next stage is Kondapochamma Sagar. Maybe by June, all areas under the project will get water. By summer, 1.35 crore acres will get assured irrigation. But the State requires around 1.5 lakh tons of urea and other important fertilizers.”
The Cabinet had a meeting concerned with the rising demand for fertilizer and has been reviewing how much betterment can be added in the situation. Advising the farmers about the scenario, the CM said, “I appeal to the farmers not to crowd stores for fertilizers. By May 5, all the procurement will be over, so we will take cash incentives and start purchasing fertilizer only after that. We have stocks and farmers can start purchasing fertilizers in May. There is no need to create a rush.”
The CM has also instructed the authorities to use the function halls to turn them into godowns to store fertilizers whenever necessary. “There will be no functions at least for another month. So, space can be utilized for storage of fertilizers,” he added.
