Custom Hiring Centres offer machinery on rent to farmers in Telangana

The Agriculture Department has called upon farmers to come together under Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) to strengthen their bargaining power, improve market access and enhance farm incomes.

Addressing the 112th episode of Rythu Nestham, organised through video conference on Tuesday, Agriculture and Co-operation Secretary K. Surendra Mohan said the State government was giving high priority to farmer collectives and implementing several initiatives for their development.

Director of Agriculture B. Gopi said the department was working to strengthen farmer producer organisations (FPOs) financially and improve the incomes of small and marginal farmers.

Noting that individual farmers often face difficulties in securing remunerative prices and finding reliable markets for their produce, the officials said that collective marketing through FPOs, SHGs and PACS could help increase demand for farm produce and ensure better prices.

A major focus of the programme was the establishment of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) under agricultural mechanisation initiatives. The centres are being set up through FPOs, SHGs and PACS to enable small and marginal farmers to rent farm machinery instead of purchasing expensive equipment.

The CHCs will offer 37 types of machinery under seven categories, including land development, seeding and planting, intercultural operations, crop protection, harvesting and threshing, post-harvest management and crop residue management. Among the equipment available are power tillers, rotovators, seed-cum-fertiliser drills, power sprayers, Kisan drones, combine harvesters, turmeric boilers, polishers and straw balers.

Representatives of a company exporting gherkins cultivated in Kohir mandal of Sangareddy district explained cultivation practices and export opportunities for the crop. Similarly, a company involved in processing and exporting moringa leaves from Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district outlined potential income opportunities for farmers through value-added products.

Officials advised farmers to select crops based on water availability and purchase only recommended varieties from authorised dealers.

Published - October 27, 2026 07:02 pm IST