CM Revanth launches 'Rythu Nestham'; asks farmers to focus on crops other than paddy

Hyderabad: Pitching for crop rotation, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said apart from cultivating paddy, cotton, and chill, Telangana should focus on 26 other varieties for more profits and yield. He also said that the crop rotation method would help to reduce the water usage and investment burden on the farmers in difficult times.

The chief minister launched an innovative ‘Rythu Nestham’ program through a virtual link from his residence and interacted with the farmers. Speaking on the occasion, Revanth Reddy said that Rythu Nestham would help the farmers provide adequate information on the farming activity in every agricultural season. Farmers are being allowed to interact with agricultural experts directly, he added.

“The government launched the program to reach out to the farmers and understand their problems at the field level. Some more programs will be launched in collaboration with the farmers in the future. The government will support the farmers in the supply of seeds, fertilizers, and also the selling of harvested crop products in the markets,” Revanth Reddy said.

The chief minister emphasized farmers should get profits for their produce and the government is working out plans in this direction. A slew of farmer welfare schemes like Rythu Bharosa, loan waiver, regular seeds supply, and purchase of crops through IKP centers and market yards have already been taken up.

Revanth Reddy appealed to all farmers to utilize the services of the Rythu Nestham program so that they can bring their problems to the government's attention. He said the new program is being implemented in 110 centers on a pilot project and then extended to all villages in the future.

“The crop insurance scheme is also being implemented in the state and the bereaved families will get Rythu Bhima benefit in case the farmer dies. The crop insurance scheme will instill confidence among farmers to continue the farming activity. The scheme will help the farmers to get compensation including the investment made in case the crops are damaged due to drought or floods. The crop insurance scheme will rescue the farmers from the financial distress,” Revanth Reddy said.

The chief minister also appealed to the farmers not to lose heart even during hardships as the government is ready to support the farming community. He assured that the state government will support the farmers in the difficult drought conditions. He further said that the drought situation will be tackled collectively. Due to deficit rainfall this year, water levels in the reservoirs are depleted and hence the water crisis is looming large in the state, he added.

Revanth Reddy said that farmers and leaders of Karimnagar, Khammam, Nalgonda, and Mahabubnagar districts are demanding the release of water from the reservoirs. He appealed to all the farmers to understand the present situation. “The government is already making required arrangements to solve the drinking water crisis in the ensuing summer,” he said.

What is Rythu Nestham?

The government launched an innovative program to solve the problems of the farmers directly by arranging video conference facilities for as many as 2,601 ‘Rythu Vedikas’ across the state. In the first phase, video conference units are being set up in 110 assembly constituencies on an experimental basis.

The State Agriculture Department took up this program with the help of Professor Jayashankar Agricultural University. The government already sanctioned Rs 97 crore for the programme. The new facility will provide a platform to interact with the agricultural experts directly with farmers and understand the challenges at the field level.

The experts and officials will give suggestions to the farmers on the crops and advanced farming techniques from time to time. The digital platform will also help the farmers to share their experiences with other farmers.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, and other senior officials participated in the video conference from Dr BR Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat. Farmers from different districts participated in the conference and shared their experiences. They also explained how they are making profits in farming.