Government is not announcing crop holiday, says Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao
Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao dismissed claims by the Opposition that a crop holiday had been announced to protect farmers from losses.
Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao said on Saturday that the government is encouraging farmers to grow dry crops due to current climatic conditions. According to The New Indian Express, the Minister dismissed claims made by the Opposition that the government had announced a crop holiday.
Nageswara Rao stated that farmers are being advised to avoid water-intensive crops to prevent losses from water shortages. He said El Nino is a global phenomenon and not limited to Telangana, adding that scientists and officials are educating farmers about changing weather.
The Minister noted that the government has distributed various seeds at subsidised rates, including 28,460 quintals of groundnut seeds and 26,847 quintals of chickpea seeds. He said farmers are being encouraged to select crops based on water availability during the Rabi season.
Telangana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Commission Chairman M Kodanda Reddy said the commission had previously alerted the government regarding El Nino's potential impact. He stated the commission recommended changes to cropping patterns before El Nino began.
Reddy also said the commission is preparing a report on the protection and revival of the state's lake network for Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy. He alleged that the BRS had left farmers in distress during its rule.
Reddy further claimed that opposition leaders were making baseless allegations and engaging in mudslinging instead of providing constructive suggestions.