Telangana Govt to spend Rs. 20,107 Crore on Agriculture

Hyderabad: Agriculture has been given top priority in the 'Vote on Account' budget presented by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao before the Telangana Legislative Assembly on Friday.

The Chief Minister, in his budget speech, claimed that in terms of the initiatives taken, Telangana has become a trailblazer for the entire nation. "The schemes being implemented in Telangana are receiving accolades from all corners of the country. Through Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bhima, Land Records Updation, Farmers' Coordination Committees, and other programmes, the government has infused confidence in the farming sector. Telangana is considered as a State which is pro-farmer. We will strive hard to meet their expectations," he said.

The Chief Minister said that the government would establish food procession units across the Telangana State to enable farmers to get remunerative prices for their produce. These units will be established in partnership with farmers. He informed that after the formation of Telangana, the crop loans of over 35,29,000 farmers amounting to Rs.16,124 crore were paid by the government to the banks. "Seeds and fertilizers are being supplied on time. Manufacturers of spurious seeds and fertilizers were dealt with a firm hand. Marketing Department was strengthened and the capacity of godowns was increased considerably, he said.

"This Government will support the farmers till their situation improves. That is why we have made a promise of loan waiver during the recently held elections also. Redeeming our promise, we are proposing to waive off all agriculture term loans up to one lakh rupees, outstanding as on 11th of December, 2018. Towards this, an amount of Rs. 6,000 crore is proposed. The government has also decided to increase investment support under Rythu Bandhu to Rs.5,000 per acre per crop. The total support in a year will be Rs.10,000 per acre. The amount proposed in 2019-20 towards Rythu Bandhu is Rs.12,000 crore. Likewise, an Rs. 650 crore has been earmarked for Rythu Bima, the Farmer Group Insurance Scheme which provides an insurance amount of Rs. 5 lakh in the event of farmer's death due to any cause. So far an amount of Rs. 5,675 has been disbursed to 283 farmers," the Chief Minister informed.

KCR said that the government has decided to form crop colonies taking into account agro-climatic and environmental conditions and soil types in various districts. In this direction, the Agricultural University and the Agriculture Department are making serious efforts. The objective of the crop colonies is to align the cropping pattern to meet the requirement of people and international demand. This will help the farmers in getting a remunerative price for their produce. As part of implementing this concept, small, medium and large scale food processing units will be set up in all parts of the State. In these units, it is proposed to make IKP employees, Women Organisations working in the State as partners.

"With an objective of providing unadulterated food to the people and remunerative prices to farmers, Rythu Samanvaya Samithies (Farmer Coordination Committees) have been formed. The intention of the government is to bring the farmers under a single platform. It is the conviction of our government that organized farmers will be able to protect their rights on their own. These Committees will also help farmers in getting remunerative prices for their produce and formation of crop colonies. The entire country is appreciating the commitment of the Government towards the farm sector and the expenditure incurred for the development of the sector. As a historic step, an amount of Rs. 20,107 crore is proposed in 2019-20 Budget for Agriculture," he announced.

The other major allocations done in the budget include Irrigation - Rs.22,500 crore; Aasara pensions - Rs.12,067 Crore; Food subsidy - Rs. 2,744 crore; Kalyanalashmi / Shhadimubrak - Rs.1450 crores; Unemployment Allowance - Rs.1810 crore; SC Development Special Fund - Rs.16,581crore; SC Development Special Fund - Rs.9,827 crore; Minorities Welfare - Rs. 2004 Crore; MBC Corporation - Rs. 1,000 Crore and Gram Panchayats - Rs.1,628 crore.