Telangana Agriculture Minister Appeals for Central Maize Procurement Support
In a significant development for Telangana's agricultural sector, State Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has formally requested Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to include maize under the central government's Price Support Scheme (PSS). This move seeks crucial procurement support for one of Telangana's major crops, which is currently facing severe market price challenges.
Extensive Cultivation and Production Figures
Minister Tummala detailed in his official letter that maize cultivation spans both kharif and rabi seasons across Telangana, with approximately 11,21,494 acres dedicated to the crop this season alone. Favorable weather conditions have contributed to an impressive average yield of 26.57 quintals per acre, resulting in an estimated total production of around 29.7 lakh metric tonnes.
Market Price Crisis Below Minimum Support Price
The minister highlighted a critical issue facing farmers: since the third week of March, there has been substantial maize inflow into market yards, but the current average market price stands at only Rs 1,759 per quintal. This represents a concerning Rs 641 deficit below the central government's announced Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 2,400 per quintal. Under these prevailing market conditions, farmers risk incurring severe financial losses that could devastate agricultural livelihoods across the state.
State Government's Interim Measures and Past Efforts
To mitigate immediate losses, the Telangana government has already established 92 purchase centers specifically for maize procurement and has purchased approximately 65,000 metric tonnes so far. Minister Tummala recalled that during the previous kharif season, despite the Centre's non-participation in procurement, the state government intervened substantially by purchasing 3.76 lakh metric tonnes of maize at MSP, expending about Rs 902.8 crore from state resources.
Escalating Challenges and Urgent Central Intervention Request
The current season presents even greater difficulties, with prices declining further due to higher production volumes and ongoing market uncertainties. This worsening situation amplifies the hardships faced by Telangana's farming community. Minister Tummala emphasized that a similar request for maize inclusion under PSS was made during the last kharif season, underscoring the persistent nature of this issue.
He urgently appealed for immediate central government intervention through two specific actions: including maize under the Price Support Scheme and undertaking procurement operations through central nodal agencies. The minister specifically requested cooperation for procuring approximately 50% of total production, equating to around 14.89 lakh metric tonnes of maize.
Financial Implications and State Burden
The estimated cost for this procurement initiative would be approximately Rs 4,000 crore, a substantial financial burden that the Telangana government would otherwise have to shoulder independently if central support is not forthcoming. Minister Tummala stressed that immediate action is essential to ensure proper MSP implementation and to provide meaningful support for Telangana's agricultural sector through the procurement of 14.89 lakh metric tonnes of maize under the PSS framework.
This appeal represents a crucial moment for Telangana's agricultural policy, highlighting the ongoing tension between state capabilities and the need for central support mechanisms to protect farmer interests during market volatility. The outcome of this request could significantly impact both agricultural economics and farmer welfare across the region.
