HYDERABAD, TRINET NEWS, SEPTEMBER 15: The 107th episode of the video conference program "Rythu Nestham," organized by the State Agriculture Department, was broadcast on Tuesday. As part of this episode, Agricultural Production Commissioner and Secretary K. Surendra Mohan (IAS) distributed natural farming kits to farmers under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) scheme.
The program commenced with introductory remarks by Agriculture Department Director Dr. B. Gopi (IAS), followed by the screening of videos related to PJTAU and the Agriculture Department. IMD scientist Dr. Sravani, Joint Director of Groundwater, and Irrigation Department Superintending Engineer Ramesh explained the rainfall situation, groundwater levels, and status of irrigation projects regarding the impact of El Nino.
Prakash Naik, a natural farming farmer from Rajaram Thanda, Kathlapur mandal, Jagtial district, shared his success story with fellow farmers. Dr. Y. Chandramohan, Principal Scientist and Director of the PJTAU Rice Research Division, explained the importance of seven varieties of fine rice grains to the farmers.
Speaking on the occasion, Agricultural Production Commissioner and Secretary Surendra Mohan (IAS) stated that crops grown using organic methods under natural farming have extremely high demand in the market, with health-conscious consumers opting for natural farming products. In this context, he noted that the Telangana government is promoting natural farming. He personally interacted with natural farming farmer Prakash Naik, urged him to share his experiences with other farmers, and called for efforts to inspire more farmers to turn towards natural farming. Subsequently, National Mission on Natural Farming kits were handed over to natural farming farmers from Shabad mandal, Ranga Reddy district.
He stated that farmers can secure higher incomes only when they directly sell their harvested produce to consumers, for which a special app named 'TG Organics' has been designed for farmers practicing organic farming. Complete details of organic farmers have been incorporated into this app, enabling consumers desiring organic products to obtain accurate information and purchase directly through the app, he explained. He said that incomes are likely to increase only when farmers avoid dependence on the middleman system and form themselves into Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to handle their own marketing. He stated that a one-day training program was organized this month to strengthen these organizations. He instructed district agriculture officers to hold meetings with Farmer Producer Organizations under the chairmanship of collectors at the district level, alongside officials from agriculture and allied departments, and to take necessary measures for their strengthening.
Speaking about the implementation of the National Mission on Natural Farming scheme, Agriculture Department Director Dr. B. Gopi (IAS) stated that cluster resource persons are being appointed at the field level through this scheme to encourage farmers undertaking organic farming, and training and technical awareness on organic farming are being provided at the village level. Soil testing is being conducted and test report certificates are being handed over to farmers, he noted, adding that bio-resource centers are being established at the village level to provide training on the preparation of decoctions like Ghana Jeevamrutham, Beejamrutham, and Jeevamrutham.
Since the government has decided to procure paddy from farmers who cultivated seven fine rice varieties in the Kharif season and provide a bonus of Rs. 500 per quintal, he urged farmers who sowed these seeds to mandatorily register their purchase details with the concerned dealers. Farmers who used their own seeds instead of purchasing from dealers are requested to submit a self-declaration certificate and register their cultivation details online with the Agriculture Extension Officer (AEO). Additionally, he appealed to farmers to provide details of the extent of various crops they cultivated to the agricultural volunteers visiting their fields and get them registered in the digital crop booking app. Once crop details are registered, farmers will receive a confirmation message, and if there are any discrepancies, they will have the opportunity to visit the Agriculture Extension Officer within 72 hours and have them corrected, he stated. Field staff were instructed to create extensive awareness among farmers on these two issues.
Later, Dr. J. Srinivas, a scientist at the Vegetable Research Station in Rajendranagar, provided instructions to farmers on the management of vegetable crops cultivated amidst the El Nino backdrop. At the end of the program, farmers directly interacted in a face-to-face session with scientists and officials, expressing their doubts and suggestions.
