Sunflower Farmers Hit As Stocks Pile Up Awaiting Purchase

Karimnagar: A procurement halt has triggered protests among sunflower farmers in Rajanna Sircilla district, exposing a gap between the Centre’s edible oil self-reliance push and field-level implementation.

The Central government has intensified efforts to reduce edible oil imports, which meet about 60 per cent of domestic demand. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to cut consumption by 10 per cent. The Union Cabinet has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO) for 2024-2031 with an outlay of Rs 10,103 crore, following a 2021 oil palm mission with a Rs 11,040 crore budget. The strategy includes MSP support, improved seeds and higher import duties.

However, procurement of sunflower in Ellanthakunta has been stalled for over 25 days, with officials stating that the Central quota has been exhausted. Farmers protested at Vivekananda Crossroads in the mandal headquarters this week, stating they had shifted from paddy to sunflower cultivation on about 1,650 acres based on government advisories.

Pattikuntapalli village sarpanch J. Shekar said he cultivated sunflower on 23 acres, including leased land, incurring substantial input costs. “It has been a month since the harvest, yet procurement has not started, and he does not even know when they will buy his crop. The situation of farmers who followed the government's advice on crop diversification has become miserable and are facing severe financial distress after taking out loans for cultivation,” he said.

A mismatch between official yield estimates and actual output has added to the crisis. Procurement has been capped at 6.5 quintals per acre, while yields have ranged between 8 and 10 quintals. As a result, only about a quarter of the produce has been purchased. Around 3,000 quintals remain at procurement centres, with additional stock held by farmers.

Inadequate infrastructure at the local agriculture market has further affected storage, with unseasonal rains damaging exposed produce and impacting eligibility under MSP norms. Farmers have warned of intensified protests if procurement is not resumed and dues cleared.

PACS vice-chairman G. Tirupati said procurement must begin immediately to prevent further losses and cited growing dissatisfaction despite increased cultivation.

Markfed district officer K. Suresh said a request has been sent for approval to start procurement. “As soon as the permission is granted they will begin the purchase.”

The disruption has left farmers with unsold stocks and uncertainty over returns amid the ongoing procurement delay.