Telangana urges Centre to include maize under PSS
Telangana seeks central support to procure maize under MSP as prices fall ₹641 below benchmark due to bumper output. With ~29.7 LMT production, farmers face losses. The state urges inclusion under PSS to stabilise prices, protect incomes, and share ₹4,000 crore procurement burden.
Hyderabad: Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao requested Union minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to include maize under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), seeking central procurement support for a major crop in Telangana. In a letter to the Union minister, Tummala said maize is widely cultivated in Telangana during both kharif and rabi seasons, with about 11,21,494 acres under cultivation this season. He said favourable weather conditions have resulted in an average yield of 26.57 quintals per acre, with an estimated production of around 29.7 lakh metric tonnes.The minister said that since the third week of March, there has been a significant inflow of maize into market yards. However, the current average price is Rs 1,759 per quintal, which is Rs 641 below the MSP of Rs 2,400 announced by the central govt. He said farmers are at risk of incurring severe losses under the prevailing market conditions.He further stated that the Telangana govt has opened 92 purchase centres to prevent losses to farmers and has purchased 65,000 metric tonnes of maize so far. Recalling the last kharif season, he said that although the Centre did not procure maize then, the state govt purchased 3.76 lakh metric tonnes at MSP, spending about Rs 902.8 crore.
He added that prices are declining further this season due to higher production and market uncertainties, worsening the difficulties faced by farmers. He urged the Centre to intervene immediately, include maize under the PSS, and undertake procurement through central nodal agencies, adding that a similar request had been made during the last kharif season.The minister sought cooperation for the procurement of about 50% of the total production, around 14.89 lakh metric tonnes, stating that the estimated cost would be about Rs 4,000 crore, which the state govt would otherwise have to bear alone. He urged immediate action to ensure implementation of the MSP and to support Telangana in procuring 14.89 lakh metric tonnes of maize under the PSS.
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Source : The Times Of India
