"paddy"

Criticises government for failing to purchase paddy effectively, leaving farmers with unsold produce despite producing 1.53 crore tonnes during Vaanakalam season

Tensions are rising at the Karnataka-Telangana border as farmers from both states found themselves at loggerheads over paddy movement. Some 50 vehicles carrying paddy from various locations in Mahabubnagar and Nagarkurnool districts heading to Raichur market were halted at the Krishna Bridge.

Following the unexpected rains, the paddy kept by farmers at government-run procurement centres was damaged.

Some 700 quintals of paddy were soaked by the unexpected rainfall in the district

A disturbing incident unfolded at the IKP procurement center in Annaram village on Sunday, where farmers Guguloth Keema Naik and Punnamma attempted self-immolation in front of hundreds of people. Fellow farmers quickly intervened, saving them from the desperate act, and then staged a protest at the center to show solidarity with the couple.

Farmers voiced concerns about the moisture content issues and FAQ specifications, which are impeding the procurement process

Speaking to the media at the Secretariat, he stated that the State cultivated grade A paddy over 40 lakh acres, enabled by a Rs 500 per quintal bonus announced for premium paddy varieties. Starting in January, the government will distribute fine rice (Sannabiyyam) through the public distribution system.

Farmers encountered difficulties at procurement centers, as strict adherence to fair average quality standards led them to sell their produce to private traders who offered Rs 300 to Rs 400 per quintal above the minimum support price. Local officials observed that most of the grade-A paddy produced in the state was purchased by millers from Chennai. Initially hesitant to buy A-grade paddy due to the obligation of providing a Rs 500 per quintal incentive to growers, state agencies are now rushing to procure as much as they can.

He pointed out that farmers have been unable to sell their paddy at procurement centers, despite bringing their produce there two months ago. He also questioned the state government's failure to manage the procurement process, especially when the union government fully funds paddy procurement and provides a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs. 2,320 per quintal.

Civil Supplies Commissioner DS Chauhan on Tuesday urged farmers to bring their paddy to government procurement centres without any hesitation

The Chief Minister instructed Special Officers to visit purchase centers in the field, address any grievances on-site, and closely monitor paddy procurement regularly.

Harish Rao said that the government had failed to make arrangements to purchase paddy, cotton, and maize, forcing farmers to sell their produce to middlemen at a much cheaper rate than the MSP.

On Friday evening, heavy rainfall in Siddipet and Medak districts caused significant damage to paddy farmers. Despite their efforts to dry the paddy along the Narsapur-Medak road in Kowdipally, the crops were washed away by the rainwater, leaving the farmers feeling helpless.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy made it clear that there would be no paddy allocation for defaulters this season.

The incentive is part of the government’s strategy to reduce dependency on fine rice procurement from other states. However, the current market dynamics pose significant challenges to the implementation of the scheme

Says measures taken by the BRS government in the past had increased agriculture and cotton production in the State

As of September 12, sowing operations have been completed in only 1.23 crore acres, around 95 per cent of the normal cultivation area of 1.29 crore acres for the ongoing Vanakalam season.

The Agriculture department had estimated that farmers would cultivate paddy through the dry seeding method on 1,000 acres this Vanakalam season.

Sufficient urea and other fertilizers was available in all mandals and their distribution should be monitored regularly the District Collectors on a daily basis, she said at a meeting with officials here on Tuesday.

The officials said that the cost of the produce was released and steps would be taken to ensure the farmers get it at the earliest, ending the confusion.