Turmeric Farmers Seek Better Price for Produce

Nizamabad: The Telangana State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Commission chairman, M. Kodanda Reddy, said that the state government is giving utmost importance to the farm sector. "After Punjab, Telangana is the only state in the country that has an agriculture commission," he said. "Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is always concerned about the welfare of farmers," he added.

On Thursday, Kodanda Reddy, along with members Gadugu Gangadhar, K.V. Narasimha Reddy, Ramreddy Gopal Reddy, and M. Bhavani, visited turmeric crop fields in Balkonda, Kammarpally, and Velpur mandals. Following the field visit, the commission held a meeting with district officials, traders, farmers, Spices Board officials, and others at the District Integrated Offices Complex.

Speaking at the meeting, Kodanda Reddy highlighted that farmers cultivate valuable and auspicious turmeric in Nizamabad district but are unable to secure remunerative prices. "We will submit a report to the state government to help turmeric farmers," he stated. "Setting aside politics, a helping hand should be given to turmeric farmers," he emphasised.

The commission was informed about the low prices of turmeric in the Nizamabad Agriculture Market Yard, contrasting with higher prices for the same produce in Maharashtra. In response, the commission chairman was urged to take steps for the welfare of turmeric farmers. Farmers also requested subsidies for electric boilers and polishing machines to aid in the boiling of turmeric.

Kodanda Reddy directed Spices Board officials to create awareness about quality turmeric cultivation to achieve better prices. Present at the meeting were Konda Laxman Bapuji University vice-chancellor Raji Reddy, Seeds Development Corporation chairman S. Anvesh Reddy, State Cooperative Unions Limited chairman Manala Mohan Reddy, Urdu Academy chairman Taher Bin Hamdan, district collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu, additional collector Ankith, and other dignitaries.