A comprehensive report prepared by the Agriculture Commission on the necessity of crop diversification in the State was submitted to Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao at the Secretariat on Friday by Farmers’ Commission Chairman Kodanda Reddy and other commission members.

The report highlighted the need for the government to encourage farmers to take up alternative crops, as the majority of cultivators in Telangana are currently dependent on paddy and cotton cultivation. It suggested several measures to promote horticulture crops, pulses, millets and oilseeds in line with market demand and changing agricultural needs.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said nearly 1.3 crore acres are under paddy cultivation during the Kharif and Rabi seasons combined in the State. He directed Agriculture and Horticulture department officials to prepare an action plan to shift at least 13 lakh acres to horticulture, pulses, millets and oilseed cultivation over the next three years.

Mr. Tummala said farmers would benefit if crop diversification plans are aligned with market demand and regional as well as national requirements, ensuring remunerative prices for their produce.

He also laid emphasis on expanding oil palm cultivation. He said while oil palm cultivation had been newly introduced in 45,000 acres this year, officials should prepare plans to expand it to one lakh acres next year.

Stressing on the need for amendments to the Central Seed Act, the Minister said the existing law lacks clarity on compensation to farmers who suffer losses due to spurious seeds. He demanded that State governments also be given adequate powers, along with the Centre, in regulating the seed sector.

Reviewing preparations for the upcoming Kharif season, the Minister directed Agriculture department officials to maintain sufficient buffer stocks of urea in the State by the end of May, as transplantation activities are likely to begin in the first week of June. He also urged the Centre to allocate and supply 90% of the urea produced at the Ramagundam Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited plant to Telangana.

Seed Corporation Chairman Anvesh Reddy, Agriculture Secretary Surendra Mohan, Agriculture Director Gopi and Horticulture Director Yasmeen Basha were among present.