Farmers in Karimnagar Struggle Without Subsidised Machinery for Over a Decade
Farmers in Karimnagar district have been struggling for over ten years due to the absence of subsidised agricultural machinery. This has added to their financial and operational challenges, especially as modern farming increasingly relies on mechanisation.
The previous government did not prioritise providing subsidised machinery, arguing that the implementation of the Rythu Bandhu scheme was sufficient. However, under the new Revanth Reddy government, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao recently announced plans to introduce crop insurance and mechanisation during the upcoming Yasangi season.
Currently, government schemes like RKVY and Yantra Lakshmi aim to release funds for farm machinery when the Yasangi crop season begins. These measures could provide much-needed equipment to farmers. In the combined Karimnagar district, 12.40 lakh acres of horticultural crops are cultivated each season. Mechanisation has become essential, with 97% of paddy now harvested using machines. The demand for mini tractors, power tillers, and other machinery has also increased significantly.
Farmers’ associations have stressed the importance of subsidies for essential farming equipment. Items such as baler cutting machines, rotovators, seed drills, sprayers, pump sets, tarpaulin sheets, and drip irrigation systems are critical to reducing farmers’ financial burdens. Subsidies for cotton ginning machines, mango harvesters, grass cutters, and even traditional bullock-driven equipment have also been highlighted as necessary.
The lack of subsidised machinery has forced many farmers to rent equipment at high costs, leading to financial losses. Labour shortages have made the situation worse for those who cannot afford modern machinery. Farmer Palle Raju shared his experience, stating, “For the past few years, I have been facing difficulties due to the lack of subsidised machines. Labour shortages have left us dependent on machinery, but the high costs are unsustainable.”
Farmers are now heavily reliant on machinery due to the ongoing labour shortages. With no subsidised equipment provided in recent years, many are paying excessively to hire harvesters and other machines, further straining their finances. For the financial year 2023-24, the government has allocated Rs 1,500 crores for the Yantra Lakshmi scheme. As more than half of the financial year has passed and one crop cycle is already over, farmers remain hopeful that at least Rs 240 crores in subsidies will be allocated for the Yasangi season to help alleviate their difficulties.
