Hyderabad / Jogulamba Gadwal, Telangana: The Nadigadda Rights Struggle Committee is calling for urgent changes to protect cotton seed farmers from exploitation. They want new seed laws to provide justice and security. Gongalla Ranjith Kumar, the committee’s district chairman, met with Kodanda Reddy, Chairman of the Telangana State Agricultural and Farmers Welfare Commission, and other commission members in Hyderabad. He also handed a memorandum to AICC Secretary and former Alampur MLA Sampath Kumar.
The committee’s main demands are clear. They want to stop the control of middlemen who exploit cotton seed farmers. The new seed laws should offer legal protection for farmers. Farmers should receive compensation even if their crops fail, regardless of seed quality or test results. Payments to farmers should be made within three months. The procurement process needs to be direct, removing middlemen to ensure fair prices. Additionally, farmer land security is crucial, as many have lost land due to deceitful practices by companies.
Ranjith Kumar highlighted the severe issues faced by farmers in the district. He accused seed companies and organizers of cheating farmers, causing both financial and emotional hardship. Some farmers have even lost their land due to financial traps and contract manipulation. He urged the state commission to make sure the new seed law includes strong protections, ensures transparency, and removes intermediaries who take advantage of farmers.
Key activists from the Nadigadda Rights Committee also joined the meeting, including District Convener Bucchibabu, District Secretary Lavanna Naik, and leaders Chinna Ramudu, Bhoopathi Naidu, and Nethanna.
Jogulamba Gadwal is a major cotton seed producer in Telangana, but the sector is vulnerable to unregulated practices. Middlemen and seed companies often manipulate the procurement process and payments. Farmers suffer from issues with seed performance and grading.
This action by the committee is a demand for structural reforms to ensure accountability from seed companies, legal support for farmers, and transparency in agricultural markets. The upcoming Telangana State Seed Law is an opportunity to strengthen farmer protections. If these demands are met, it could set a positive example not only for Telangana but also for other seed-growing regions in India.
Upcoming developments to watch include whether the Telangana government will adopt these provisions in the new legislation, introduce measures to reduce middlemen’s influence, and ensure timely payments and compensation. This issue is expected to gain more attention as farmer organizations and civil rights groups increase pressure on state lawmakers before the new bill is introduced.
