Agriculture is Science, Not Just a Practice: Governor

Describing his visit as immensely pleasurable, the Governor extended Vasantha Panchami greetings to the gathering at Mattapalli in Suryapet district.

Speaking on irrigation issues, irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the state government would not concede even a single drop of Telangana’s rightful share in the Krishna and Godavari rivers. He said the government was prepared to fight for the protection of the State’s water interests.

The minister credited the Congress government for initiatives including record paddy production of 148 lakh metric tonnes during the kharif season and procurement of around 71.7 lakh metric tonnes, with payments amounting to nearly ₹19,000 crore towards minimum support price and bonuses. He also highlighted the free fine rice scheme covering 85 per cent of the population and the issuance of new ration cards for the needy.

Meanwhile, in a symbolic gesture on Saraswati Puja, dedicated to learning and knowledge, the Governor unveiled foundation plaques for a series of development projects. These include a new Government Agriculture College at Huzurnagar, to be established at an estimated cost of ₹123 crore, the eighth such institution in the state; a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya at Kodad with an investment of ₹53 crore; and a dormitory building and kitchen complex for Anna Prasadam preparation along with other core development works at the Mattapalli temple, costing ₹2 crore, aimed at improving pilgrim facilities.

The Governor unveiled the foundation stone plaques for the Government Agriculture College at Huzurnagar and the Navodaya Vidyalaya at Kodad at a meeting held at Mattapalli.

Addressing the gathering, he said farmers are the food providers of society and national prosperity hinges on their welfare. Recalling the slogans “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” coined by Lal Bahadur Shastri, later expanded with “Jai Vigyan” by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and further enriched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with “Jai Anusandhan”, he underlined the need to link agriculture with vignanan (technology) for the benefit of farmers.

Emphasising India’s agrarian heritage, the Governor expressed hope that the new agriculture college at Huzurnagar would develop into a premier institution, advancing research and supporting farmers by building on the legacy of Prof. Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University. He also expressed confidence that initiatives such as Navodaya Vidyalayas and hostels would bring significant progress to the region.

Earlier, the Governor offered prayers at the Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy temple and inspected stalls set up by various government departments at the venue. He later distributed farm mechanisation units to beneficiaries under a scheme with an allocation of ₹4.47 crore for 2025–26, and handed over cheques worth ₹504.5 crore towards bank linkage for Self Help Groups to promote women’s entrepreneurship.

Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, SC development minister Aduri Lakshman Kumar, MP K. Raghuveer Reddy, MLC Shanker Naik, and MLAs Bathula Lakshma Reddy and J. Jayaveer Reddy attended the programme.