Telangana: Farmers await Rythu Bharosa as Yasangi harvest nears end

The Rythu Bharosa scheme, unveiled with great enthusiasm on January 26, pledged ₹6,000 per acre to all farmers in a phased rollout. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had personally assured that the investment support would be fully disbursed by March 31. However, the distribution has been progressing slowly.

Hyderabad: As the Yasangi harvest season gets underway in Telangana, lakhs of farmers are still awaiting the promised Rythu Bharosa investment support, raising serious concerns among farmers. Unlike the previous BRS regime which ensured investment assistance under Rythu Bandhu was disbursed ahead of crop seasons, Rythu Bharosa funds have not yet reached many farmers.

The Rythu Bharosa scheme, launched with much fanfare on January 26, promising Rs 6,000 per acre to all farmers in a phased manner. Chief Minsiter A Revanth Reddy himself assured that the disbursement of the investment support will be completed before March 31. Yet the disbursal remains sluggish.

Till now, the government claims to have deposited Rs 5,057 crore into the accounts of around 57 lakh farmers covering 84.28 lakh acres, mostly benefiting those with landholdings under four acres. But approximately Rs 4,000 crore is still pending for nearly 13 lakh farmers, especially those owning more than four acres. The delay is attributed to a strained State treasury, with officials depositing funds in small tranches every 2-3 days.

This delay comes at a critical juncture, as Yasangi (Rabi) crops are already ready for harvest. In districts like Nalgonda, Nizamabad, and Kamareddy, procurement of paddy has started. Yet, many farmers say they are forced to manage without the vital investment support that was meant to ease cultivation expenses.

Farmers are now caught in a cash crunch just as they prepare for the next monsoon crop cycle, set to begin in June. Despite the urgency, authorities have diverted focus toward publicity allocating Rs 28.35 crore for flexi banners to list out Rythu Bharosa and loan waivers beneficiaries, even as the actual assistance remains undelivered for many.

Officials themselves admit to lacking clarity on the exact area covered or the reasons for the lapses. Sources said Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao is expected to provide clarity in this regard during first week of May. With that deadline missed and the Vaanakalam (Kharif) season looming in June, farmers now fear further delays in next season’s aid as well.