Markfed: Buying of Sunflower to Resume Soon

Karimnagar: MARKFED district manager Mohmaad Habeeb on Thursday said the government was committed to procuring the entire sunflower produce from farmers in Rajanna Sircilla district and assured that purchases would resume after approval for enhanced targets.

In a statement, he said the initial procurement target of 2,39.330 metric tonnes for the Yasangi (rabi) 2025-26 season had been fully achieved. The procured stock had been handed over to Nafed and the State Warehousing Corporation in accordance with guidelines.

According to data from the district agriculture officer, sunflower was cultivated over 1,670.28 acres, with total production estimated at 1,169.196 metric tonnes, exceeding the initial procurement target. He said this had led to a temporary halt in procurement at Agricultural Market Committees after reaching the authorised limits.

Habeeb said proposals had been sent to the state government to enhance the procurement target to match the estimated output and ensure farmers receive the Minimum Support Price of Rs 7,721 per quintal.

He advised farmers not to resort to distress sales and said procurement would resume at all centres once approval was received.

He said the government was prepared to procure the entire surplus and urged farmers to remain patient until the revised limits were sanctioned.