Hyderabad, April 12 -- Former minister T Harish Rao has strongly criticised the government for repeatedly urging farmers to adopt crop diversification while failing to procure the produce grown under such initiatives.

During his visit to the cotton market yard in Siddipet on Saturday, April 11, Harish Rao expressed concern that farmers are not receiving timely support. He alleged that essential inputs such as fertilisers, seeds, and the Rythu Bandhu financial assistance are not being provided on time.

Moreover, he said the delay in the procurement of crops is causing severe hardship to farmers.

On sunflower procurement

Farmers who cultivated sunflowers informed him that their produce had not been purchased for the past three days. Oth...