Telangana Farmers Commission seeks subsidised tools for turmeric farmers

Telangana Agriculture Commission seeks subsidised mechanised tools for turmeric farmers to boost productivity and alleviate financial struggles.

The Telangana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Commission has urged Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao to provide subsidised agricultural implements to turmeric farmers as part of a broader mechanisation initiative. This appeal follows a field visit by the commission’s team on January 9 to Nizamabad district, a region renowned for turmeric cultivation but plagued by persistent challenges.

In a letter addressed to the Minister, the Commission chairman M Kodanda Reddy said that turmeric farmers had expressed concerns about rising input costs and the lack of fair market prices for their produce. He highlighted that traditional farming methods and the absence of modern machinery have exacerbated the farmers’ struggles.

“Key issues include the inability to efficiently extract ripe turmeric, dry it, or process it with proper equipment. Farmers are compelled to rely on outdated practices such as firewood burning and manual grinding. The lack of turmeric polishing machines has further hindered their ability to add value to their produce,” Mr. Reddy said.

Despite being one of the country’s largest turmeric-growing districts, Nizamabad farmers face labour shortages and insufficient resources to adopt modern techniques. These limitations, coupled with stagnant market conditions, have left many on the brink of financial hardship.

The commission chairman also recalled the efforts made during the Congress-led government for turmeric research by then Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. However, the formation of Telangana state and subsequent government changes have not brought significant improvements to the plight of turmeric farmers.

In light of these challenges, the Commission chairman emphasized the urgent need for subsidised mechanisation tools to alleviate farmers’ burdens and enhance productivity.