Farmers allege millers’ syndicate slashes paddy prices, stage road protest in Miryalaguda

Farmers in Miryalaguda staged a protest alleging that rice millers had formed a syndicate and sharply reduced paddy procurement prices from prevailing rates. The agitation disrupted traffic on Sagar Road before being called off after millers assured that high-quality paddy would be procured at Rs 3,950 per quintal.

Nalgonda: Farmers who were expecting good prices for their paddy this season have been left disappointed, with several alleging that rice millers have formed a syndicate and drastically reduced procurement prices. Demanding fair prices for their produce, farmers staged a protest on Sagar Road in Miryalaguda.

For the past 20 days, paddy from the Vanakalam (Kharif) season has been arriving at rice mills in Miryalaguda. During this period, fine-variety paddy was being purchased at prices ranging from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 4,200 per quintal.

However, on Friday, millers allegedly formed a syndicate and decided to reduce the purchase price to Rs. 3,500 per quintal. The decision triggered anger among farmers.

The farmers questioned how millers could exploit the produce they had worked hard to cultivate. They staged a protest on Sagar Road, bringing the movement of several paddy-laden tractors to a halt. The vehicles were stranded in long queues, causing major traffic disruption.

Rural police reached the spot and spoke to the protesting farmers. The police also held discussions with the millers, who assured them that procurement prices would be determined based on the quality of the paddy.

Following the millers’ assurance that high-quality paddy would be purchased at Rs. 3,950 per quintal, the farmers called off their protest.