Overview

• At a state review on October 9, the chief minister directed a master plan to modernise Rythu Bazaars with digital trading, logistics coordination and quality controls.
• Officials were told to fully utilise 218 market committee sites by adding cold storage, transport links and e-platforms to strengthen direct farmer-to-consumer sales.
• Citing recent tomato price falls in Pattikonda, the government asked market officials to quickly move surplus to Rythu Bazaars or use cold chain facilities to prevent distress sales.
• Naidu reviewed readiness for the central scheme’s rollout and urged promotion of high-value crops while noting the Centre’s commitment to procure 100% of pulses to bolster incomes.
• The review called for rapid soil testing, curbs on excessive urea and pesticide use, study of Karnataka’s stronger sericulture model and exploration of agri-tech partnerships with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.