Hyderabad, June 15 (RAHNUMA): Agricultural experts and scientists have advised the government to conduct large-scale awareness programmes for farmers on cultivating eight premium paddy varieties that enjoy excellent demand not only in domestic markets, but also internationally.
A Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka was held at Praja Bhavan on Monday. The meeting was attended by D. Sridhar Babu, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, and Tummala Nageswara Rao.
The committee conducted an in-depth review of agricultural production, paddy procurement operations, storage facilities, and the upcoming Kharif cultivation season in the state. Professors and scientists from agricultural universities participated in the meeting and presented several important proposals.
The experts emphasised that the government should take special measures to encourage large-scale cultivation of the following eight profitable and export-friendly paddy varieties, including BPT 5204, Telangana Sona (RNR 15048), KNM-1638, Jai Sriram, HMT, WGL 962,WGL 44 and JGL 1798.
Scientists from agricultural universities explained that these varieties enjoy strong market demand and can provide farmers with significant economic benefits.
Given the tremendous consumer preference for rice produced from these varieties, farmers are likely to receive prices substantially higher than the MSP.
“These varieties are highly suitable for export from Telangana. They are especially popular in the United States, Australia, and European countries. As a result, they can become highly profitable crops for farmers. There is no shortage of seeds for these varieties in the market, making large-scale cultivation feasible,” farmers said.
The experts further stated that if farmers’ incomes are to increase significantly and if they are to be protected from fluctuations in international market prices, promoting these eight varieties is the most effective approach. They recommended that the government prioritise these varieties and organise special awareness programs in villages across the state.
Vice Chancellors of agricultural universities informed the committee that promoting these varieties on a large scale in the coming seasons would generate additional income for farmers, benefit the agricultural market, and help Telangana move toward a more profitable paddy cultivation model.
Officials from the Civil Supplies department informed the Ministers that not all fine rice varieties currently cultivated in the state are receiving market acceptance. Some varieties produce a high percentage of broken rice during milling, while others do not meet consumer preferences. As a result, millers and traders are reluctant to purchase them, officials said.
The officials further suggested that the government should henceforth promote only those paddy varieties that are preferred by consumers, millers, and traders and are also suitable for international exports. They recommended gradually reducing the cultivation of varieties that lack market demand.
Officials also informed the Cabinet Sub-Committee that the state government should continue its paddy procurement process in line with the policies of the Central government. Agricultural officials stressed that future crop promotion should be entirely based on market demand to prevent losses to farmers.
