Telangana govt to launch mechanisation scheme for women farmers

Hyderabad: Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Sunday reaffirmed the govt's unwavering commitment to farmers' welfare under the leadership of chief minister A Revanth Reddy.He highlighted the historic waiver of 21,000 crore in crop loans, which has benefited nearly 25 lakh farmers, and noted the revival of key agricultural schemes aimed at strengthening the farming community. He also announced that a new agricultural mechanisation scheme designed specifically for women farmers will soon be launched, marking a significant step towards advancing gender equity in agriculture.Minister Rao delivered his address at the Mega Farmers' Fair, a two-day event taking place at the Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) in Rajendranagar. The fair, skilfully organised by PJTSAU, Coromandel International, and the State Agriculture Department, served as a festive celebration of International Women's Day and honoured the UN's declaration of 2026 as the International Year of Women Farmers. The event drew a diverse crowd of farmers, particularly women, agricultural experts and students, all coming together to share knowledge and inspire one another.IT and Industries minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu emphasised the crucial need for farmers to embrace advanced technologies and diversify their crop production, a strategy vital for sustainable agriculture. Meanwhile, minister Danasari Anasuya lauded the fair as an empowering platform, highlighting the indispensable role women play in agriculture and advocating greater participation and empowerment within the sector.ICAR director general ML Jat commended the Telangana govt's proactive efforts, urging cooperative action to safeguard the environment and strengthen biodiversity within farming practices. PJTSAU vice-chancellor Aldas Janaiah noted that women constitute a significant portion of the agricultural workforce and stressed the importance of reducing chemical fertiliser usage for the health of the soil and ecosystem. Adding to the fair's celebrations, awards were presented to 30 outstanding women farmers and six distinguished agricultural journalists, honouring their contributions and achievements in the field. MSID:: 129272186 413 |