Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy released the first tranche of Rythu Bharosa assistance to about 70 lakh farmers for this season at Narmetta in Siddipet district on Sunday. The CM said that the entire amount of Rs 9,000 crore will be disbursed to farmers in the next 45 days, with the first payment of Rs 3,600 crore being credited on Monday.“I have come from a humble background and understand farming and farmers. Despite financial challenges, we are releasing the entire amount within 45 days. We believe that the state will not prosper if farmers are in distress. Since Congress assumed power, we have been spending an average of Rs 5,500 crore monthly on the farming sector, compared to only Rs 2,500 crore monthly during the BRS tenure. In the last 25 months, we have allocated about Rs 1.40 lakh crore for farmers’ welfare,” the CM said.During his visit to Narmetta, he also dedicated an oil palm factory to the nation and laid the foundation stone for a cooking oil refinery plant, which is expected to cost Rs 80 crore. He later participated in a public meeting.The CM highlighted the urgent need for diversification, pointing out the Centre will not be procuring more than 50 lakh tonnes of paddy from the state.“We are producing so much paddy that even if we exported it all to rice consuming countries, there will still be a lot left. Farmers should look at Ankapur farmers as role models who have become prosperous through diversification and good practices,” he said.He emphasised the need for changes in the state’s crop policies, noting that Telangana was known for commercial crops during the Nizam’s era.“In the past, Rangareddy district thrived on cultivation of vegetables and fruits. But today, focus on real estate has diminished agriculture, leading to an increase in import of vegetables and fruits from other states. We need to promote crop diversification. If necessary, we will discuss the issue with central govt and PM Modi to improve the lives of farmers in the state,” he said.Revanth pointed out that oil palm is profitable and Telangana leads the nation in crop cultivation.“If we cultivate oil palm on 1 million acres, the govt will purchase it. Each district in Telangana is recognised for a specific crop. Our state has fertile land and hardworking farmers, and we are working towards exporting our crops,” he said.Amid the prevailing situation in West Asia, he warned there could be shortage of urea. He said the urea produced at Ramagundam fertiliser factory should be allocated entirely for Telangana’s needs.“To prevent a urea shortage in our state due to ongoing conflict, a delegation of Congress and BJP MPs should go to the Centre, coordinated by minister Tummala,” he suggested.He also urged students to acquire skills rather than just degrees, and encouraged women to leverage govt programmes to prosper.“We aim to empower women to become entrepreneurs and plan to make one crore women in the state millionaires. As CM, I am committed to working tirelessly for women’s advancement. Progress of women is essential for Telangana to become a $1 trillion economy by 2034,” he said.The CM also said the state government will be launching public schools in the upcoming academic year, aiming to compete with private institutions. The proposal to overhaul all govt schools is also under consideration and there are plans to establish more advanced training centres to provide skill training to the youth, he said
