Telangana Approves Outsourcing of 175 Horticulture Officers

Quick Summary

• Recruitment Declaration: The Telangana State Horticulture and Sericulture Department will recruit 175 Horticulture Extension Officers on an outsourcing basis.
• Terms of Appointment: Appointments are valid until March 31, 2026, or until regular posts are filled/reviewed. Monthly remuneration is set at ₹22,750.
• Concerns from TGHO: the Telangana State Horticulture Officers Association (TGHO) opposes the recruitment because many candidates do not hold Diplomas or Degrees in horticulture. They argue that qualified professionals would better serve farmers.
• Staffing Challenges: The staff strength in the department has remained constant since 1982 with only 100 field-level personnel covering large areas (5-10 mandals each).TGHO demands doubling staff numbers and regular appointments.
• Director’s Comment: Director Shaik Yasmeen Basha assured training for these extension officers before field assignments and acknowledged prior service requests from MIP employees.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The recruitment of outsourced Horticulture Extension Officers reflects an effort to address staffing insufficiencies within the Telangana State’s horticulture department. While providing temporary relief to farmers requiring advisory services, concerns raised by TGHO about inadequate qualifications among recruits spotlight a systemic challenge that coudl affect service quality. Without sufficient training or professional expertise, there is a risk of inefficiency in fostering growth across critical sectors such as vegetable, fruit, and palm oil cultivation. Additionally,reliance on outsourcing may underscore broader issues of delayed structural reforms within government departments.

Addressing TGHO’s call for regular appointments and increased workforce capacity would strengthen agricultural advisory services while promoting long-term institutional development aligned with growing demand in horticultural activities across the state.

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