Rythu Nestham Hits 100 Episodes, Minister Tummala Calls for Water-Efficient Farming

Marking the 100th episode of 'Rythu Nestham', Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Tuesday said the state's flagship farmer outreach programme has evolved into a vital platform for delivering scientific agricultural advice directly to cultivators, while urging a shift towards water-efficient crops to help agriculture adapt to changing climatic conditions and uncertain rainfall.

Speaking at the milestone event held at the Telangana Secretariat, Tummala said the programme was launched to bridge the gap between farmers and agricultural scientists by providing real-time expert guidance through a digital platform. The event was attended by Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, senior officials, agricultural scientists, public representatives and progressive farmers, while cultivators from across the state joined through nearly 1,600 Rythu Vedikas connected via video conferencing.

Launched on March 6, 2024, Rythu Nestham is conducted every Tuesday, allowing farmers to interact directly with agricultural experts on issues such as crop planning, pest and disease management, soil health and modern farming practices. According to the minister, the programme has so far reached 24.85 lakh farmers, including 5.26 lakh women farmers, while around 2.43 lakh government officials have participated, taking its total outreach to over 27.30 lakh beneficiaries.

Highlighting the growing impact of climate change and the anticipated effects of El Niño, Tummala advised farmers to choose crops based on weather forecasts, water availability and market demand rather than traditional practices. He encouraged a gradual shift towards oil palm, horticultural and dryland crops, which require less water and are better suited to changing climatic conditions.

Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju described Rythu Nestham as a pioneering digital platform connecting farmers, scientists and government officials, helping strengthen scientific extension services and improve the government's response to weather-related agricultural challenges. He said the state is implementing contingency measures to ensure the timely supply of quality seeds, technical guidance and other support to farmers.

The programme concluded with Tummala Nageswara Rao felicitating progressive farmers from various districts for successfully adopting scientific and sustainable farming practices.