Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Former minister and BRS leader Harish Rao has written a letter to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in which he stated that “During our BRS government’s tenure, we made a conscious effort to encourage farmers to take up oilseed cultivation by providing timely support through Rythu Bandhu and necessary subsidies. We also ensured water supply available without hurdles.

Because of these efforts, oilseed crops are now being cultivated on a large scale across Telangana. Right now, the sunflower crop is ready for harvest, but it is shocking that the State government has not yet opened any procurement centre. As a result, helpless farmers are being forced to sell their produce to middlemen at just ₹5,500 to ₹6,000 per quintal”.

He also stated that during the BRS government, sunflower seeds were procured through NAFED at MSP to protect farmers. This year, NAFED has announced ₹7,280 as MSP for sunflower. However, due to the delay in opening procurement centres, farmers are losing ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 per quintal. This is a serious blow to farmers who have worked hard despite many challenges. I strongly demand that sunflower procurement centres be opened immediately across Telangana. Your government’s negligence is pushing farmers into deep losses and creating uncertainty around oilseed cultivation in the State”.

“I urge you to take this issue seriously and instruct officials to start procurement centres across the state from tomorrow itself. Please do not link farmers’ hardships to the election code. As Chief Minister, it is your duty to stand by farmers and respond immediately to their problems”, he added.