08-05-2025
Centre comes to the rescue of chilli farmers following Kishan Reddy's plea
The Centre has accepted the plea of Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy to rush to the help of chill farmers in Telangana through a Market Intervention System (MIS) by releasing the Price Deficiency Payment (PDP) to ensure that farm produce is not sold at a distress.
In a press release, Mr. Reddy, also the Telanagna BJP president, has informed that he had alerted Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to the distress sale in the open market, especially in the districts of Khammam, Mahabubnagar, Jogulamba Gadwal, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulug, Suryapet, Warangal, Hanamkonda and Nagarkurnool where the chilli farmers have been getting low price (₹5,000 to ₹6,000 per quintal).
Mr. Reddy charged that the State government, which is expected to safeguard farmers from such exploitation, had failed to act against the middlemen. Hence, he had brought this to the notice of the Mr. Chauhan, who assured Mr. Reddy that the MIS regulations will be applied to see that the farmers are not at a financial loss and get back their cost of cultivation by covering the prevailing market price gap. The Ministry of Agriculture has stated that under the MIS scheme for the 2024–25 financial year, 1,72,135 metric tonnes (25% of Telangana's estimated total chilli production of 6,88,540 metric tonnes) will be covered.
The MIS price for chillies has been fixed at ₹10,374 per quintal. Initially, the State government is required to deposit the difference into the farmers' bank accounts, which will later be reimbursed by the Centre, with the State and Centre sharing the financial burden equally (50:50).
Only farmers who sell their produce through recognised APMC markets will be eligible for benefits under the scheme. It aligns with objectives of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA under which MIS for horticultural crops, including chillies, has been introduced to protect farmers' incomes, added the release.
