MP urges centre to enhance sunflower procurement target

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

BJP MP M. Raghunandan Rao met Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during his visit to Hyderabad and appealed for enhanced procurement of Sunflower crop under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) / Price Support Scheme (PSS) for the Yasangi (Rabi) 2025-26 season in Telangana.

In a representation submitted to the Union Minister, the Medak MP highlighted that Sunflower cultivation in Telangana has increased significantly from 21,091 acres to 27,675 acres, pushing estimated production from 13,935 MTs to 19,373 MTs.

Raghunandan Rao pointed out that while the Telangana government had proposed procurement of 10,499 MTs, the Centre approved procurement of only 3,690 MTs through NAFED via TG MARKFED. He said the approved quantity was inadequate considering the sharp rise in cultivation and production. The MP also expressed concern over the steep fall in market prices, stating that Sunflower is currently selling at around Rs.5,376 per quintal against the declared MSP of Rs.7,721 per quintal, leaving farmers in severe financial distress.

He informed the Union Minister that a large number of farmers from Gajwel, Siddipet and Medak regions had cultivated Sunflower expecting remunerative prices, but are now facing uncertainty due to low market rates.

Seeking immediate intervention, Raghunandan Rao urged the Centre to enhance the procurement target from 3,690 MTs to 10,839 MTs — nearly 75 per cent of the estimated production — to prevent distress sales and safeguard the interests of small and marginal farmers in Telangana.