Thummala Nageswara Rao

Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao urged farmers at the 113th episode of the Rythu Nestham programme to avoid depending on a single crop. He recommended crop diversification and integrated farming with dairy, fisheries and poultry, along with millets and fodder crops that need less water. He also called for advance planning for climate change and the possible impact of El Niño during the upcoming Yasangi (Rabi) season.

Thummala Nageswara Rao described the Khammam–Devarapalli National Highway as a major boost for Telangana’s road network. He said the project would strengthen connectivity with southern India and improve regional transport infrastructure.

Thummala Nageswara Rao wrote to Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister JP Nadda seeking urgent allocation of 2.38 lakh tonnes of urea for Telangana in September 2025. The letter was aimed at meeting expected demand and avoiding disruptions for farmers.

Thummala Nageswara Rao said the country as a whole was facing a urea shortage and accused the BJP of politicizing Telangana’s fertilizer situation. His comments were part of an escalating public dispute over the extent of urea allocation to the state.

As Telangana’s Agriculture Minister, Thummala Nageswara Rao urged Union leaders Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar to help ensure immediate urea supply to the state. The intervention came during a period of shortages and farmer concern over fertilizer availability.

Thummala Nageswara Rao said oil palm cultivation could transform Telangana’s agricultural future and made a key public statement supporting its expansion. The remarks were reported amid broader state efforts to promote crop diversification and improve farmers’ incomes.