Drought Grips Telangana Mandals, Thummala Seeks Central Assistance

Telangana Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao informed the Union government that 315 mandals in the state were facing drought conditions. He urged the Centre to provide immediate assistance for micro-irrigation and seeds for intermediate crops to support farmers. Participating in a video conference on the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ conducted by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Thummala highlighted the key challenges faced by Telangana’s agricultural sector.

Thummala requested a 100% minimum support price guarantee for maize, jowar and other crops. He also called for the removal of the 25% procurement limit under the Price Support Scheme. In addition, he urged the Centre to rationalise chemical fertiliser prices and subsidies. He stressed the need to prioritise employment opportunities for agricultural labourers and water conservation works to provide relief to farmers and strengthen rural livelihoods.