Beyond procurement, the centre is envisioned as a catalyst for strengthening the entire millet value chain. It will support aggregation of produce, improve collective marketing through the Farmer Producer Cooperative Society.

For decades, millet farmers have faced a recurring challenge while production technologies have improved, access to assured markets and remunerative prices has remained limited. To bridge this critical gap and create sustainable market opportunities for millet growers, ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad, has technically supported the establishment of a Jowar Procurement Centre at Palvancha village in Tekmal Mandal of Medak district, Telangana under the MSP Cooperative Department, TS MARKFED, Medak. This is the first FPO in Telangana to receive the procurement centre for Jowar. The effort marks an important milestone in empowering farmers through collective procurement, improved price realisation, and stronger market linkages.

The procurement centre is the outcome of ICAR-IIMR’s sustained commitment to promoting millet-based farming systems that are not only climate-resilient but also economically rewarding. While significant progress has been achieved in improving millet productivity through advanced technologies and improved varieties, ensuring reliable market access has remained a major concern for growers. Recognizing this challenge, ICAR-IIMR collaborated closely with local farmer organisations and key stakeholders to develop a farmer-centric procurement mechanism that directly connects producers with organized markets, thereby strengthening the millet value chain from production to marketing.

Speaking on the occasion, the Mandal Agriculture Officer highlighted the remarkable growth of jowar cultivation in Tekmal Mandal over the past decade. He informed that the area under sorghum cultivation, which was only about 80 acres in 2016, has expanded to nearly 808 acres during 2025–26, reflecting the increasing confidence of farmers in jowar cultivation and the adoption of improved production technologies. Farmers in the mandal are currently achieving average grain yields of 25–30 quintals per hectare, making jowar an increasingly profitable and climate-resilient crop for the region.

He noted that despite the steady increase in production, farmers had long struggled with marketing their produce due to the absence of a local procurement facility. Growers were often compelled to travel long distances to procurement centres in other areas, incurring additional transportation costs and logistical challenges. These constraints particularly affected small and marginal farmers, reducing their overall returns.

The Agriculture Officer expressed his gratitude to ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad, for its continued support in strengthening the millet ecosystem in the region. He stated that the establishment of the Jowar Procurement Centre marks a historic achievement for the Tekmal Mandal Farmers Producer Cooperative Society, as it is the first time that the FPO has been entrusted with a procurement centre for jowar. He described the development as a major boost to farmer confidence and collective marketing efforts in the mandal.

He further informed farmers that the Government is procuring sorghum at a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 3,699 per quintal, ensuring fair and remunerative returns. Urging all jowar growers to make full use of the facility, he encouraged them to bring their produce to the procurement centre and benefit from the transparent procurement process. He expressed confidence that the centre would significantly improve farmers’ incomes while strengthening the millet value chain in the district. By linking the distribution of improved seed with the newly established procurement centre, farmers will benefit from enhanced productivity, assured market access under the MSP framework, reduced dependence on intermediaries, and improved farm incomes.

Beyond procurement, the centre is envisioned as a catalyst for strengthening the entire millet value chain. It will support aggregation of produce, improve collective marketing through the Farmer Producer Cooperative Society, and enhance the bargaining power of small and marginal farmers. The initiative is also expected to motivate more farmers to cultivate improved millet varieties, contributing to increased production, food and nutritional security, and climate-resilient agriculture in the region.

Scientists from ICAR-IIMR emphasised that the long-term growth of the millet sector depends on integrating production, procurement, processing, value addition, and marketing. The establishment of the Jowar Procurement Centre demonstrates ICAR-IIMR’s continued efforts to build farmer-centric systems that not only enhance productivity but also ensure better market access and improved incomes for millet-growing communities.