Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar said employees become farmers to better understand agriculture and the challenges faced by cultivators.
He made the remarks on Sunday while inaugurating a farmers’ shelter and the Farmers Value Addition and Food Processing Laboratory at the Dr. Ramanaidu–Eklavya Grameen Vikas Foundation Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Tuniki village of Medak district.
The facility was established under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. During the visit, the minister interacted with officials and reviewed activities carried out by the KVK to support farmers.
He also visited stalls set up at the venue and examined agricultural initiatives and training programmes organised for cultivators.
Bandi Sanjay praised the Eklavya Grameen Foundation and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra for training farmers in modern agriculture and marketing practices.
Employees become farmers message highlights agriculture training
The minister said such initiatives help farmers process crops, package products and sell them profitably in markets.
He added that the newly launched farmers’ hostel and food processing laboratory would provide accommodation and practical training to farmers visiting the centre.
Bandi Sanjay also highlighted the Centre’s efforts to promote Farmers Producer Organisations. He said the government launched the programme six years ago to support small and marginal farmers.
According to him, the government spent Rs. 6,865 crore under the initiative and established 10,000 FPOs across the country. More than 56 lakh farmers joined these organisations, including about 22 lakh women farmers.
The minister said the initiative allows farmers to store produce, process crops and sell them collectively through organised platforms.
He noted that the Tuniki KVK established two FPOs and also promoted an organic FPO in an adopted village.
Bandi Sanjay further appreciated the centre for guiding nearly one lakh farmers in Medak district through the Kisan Saradhi portal.
Medak MP Raghunandan Rao, ICAR Director General Mangilal Jath, District Additional Collector Nagesh and Eklavya Grameen Foundation founder Dr. Bagayya attended the event.
