No Bharosa for Tenants

1. Out of 70 lakh farmers in Telangana, 22 lakh are tenant farmers who are left out of welfare net
2. Cut off from the subsidy schemes provided by the central and state governments

metro india news  I hyderabad

Balamma and Moghulaiah, tenant farmers in Bhongir were hopeful that the Congress Government which promised a beneficial law for recognition cards for tenant farmers during the elections would see reality but now have lost all hope. Even during the BRS rule, tenant farmers were neglected and have been outside the ambit of any subsidy either from the State and Central Government.

With the El Nino effect looming large, the failure of crop loss compensation to reach tenant farmers has become a major problem. The Telangana government is providing Rythu Bharosa investment support of Rs 6,000 per acre twice a year, totalling Rs 12,000, to farmers but only to the owners of the land.  The previous BRS government, when it introduced the Rythu Bandhu scheme in 2018, gave Rs 10,000 investment support only to pattadar (land-owning) farmers and ignored tenant farmers.

There are nearly 70 lakh farmers in Telangana, of whom about 22 lakh — roughly one-third — are tenant farmers. They take land on lease (rent) from landowners at Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per acre and cultivate it. Balamma says, “We are now unable to pay even the rent.)

Fearing that tenant farmers will get rights over their lands, many landowners refuse to sign official tenancy documents. Consequently, eligible tenant farmers are not receiving government benefits such as Rythu Bharosa, crop loans, insurance, and drought compensation. The vast majority of tenancy agreements are based only on trust and oral understanding.

As a result, they have no written evidence. The absence of government-issued tenancy recognition cards and the refusal of landowners to agree to them has become a major obstacle. The state government recently declared drought-affected mandals and also sent a report to the Centre. Tenant farmers are expressing anguish that even if the Centre or state government announces any assistance for farmers, that compensation will not apply to them. In particular, in many areas, tenant farmers who paid lease amounts in advance have suffered heavy losses and are in a helpless situation.

Under the El Niño effect, major crops like paddy and cotton have dried up, severely hitting tenant farmers. Those who invested, took loans, and toiled for six months receive not even a single paisa when the crop is lost.

Leaders of various farmers’ organisations are demanding that the people’s government focus especially on tenants, take measures so that all tenant farmers get investment support and loan eligibility cards, and provide loans through banks and cooperative societies without any guarantees via farmer insurance, free seeds, and Kisan Credit Cards.

Rythu Vedikas for all government programmes

Rythu Vedikas are currently being used not only by the agriculture department but also for other government programmes. In many areas, they are utilised for distribution of Kalyana Lakshmi cheques, training programmes, meetings of various departments, and the Prajavani grievance redressal programmes held every Monday. Even though they are available for programmes of all departments, funds for their maintenance are not being provided. Other departments that use the platforms for their programmes are also not taking responsibility for maintenance expenses, further aggravating the problem.

On the directions of Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, the Rythu Nestam programme is being conducted every Tuesday at Rythu Vedikas through video conferences. About 30 to 60 farmers gather at each platform, it is said. In the 111th  episode of Rythu Nestam held on 22 October, nearly 40,000 people participated statewide, according to the concerned officials.

Bhatti urges banks to ease loan burden on drought-hit farmers

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Tuesday called on banks in Telangana to adopt a proactive approach in mitigating the financial burden on drought-hit farmers and vulnerable sectors impacted by El Niño.

Speaking at a special State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) meeting on ‘Drought Relief Measures for Kharif 2026’ at Praja Bhavan, the Deputy Chief Minister urged financial institutions to consider restructuring loans and tweaking interest rates to support affected borrowers.