Farmers in Telangana worried as rain forecast threatens harvest and procurement

Several districts, including Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Khammam, and Bhadradri Kothagudem, are expected to experience moderate rainfall due to the impact of Cyclone Fengal.

Hyderabad: With weather forecasts predicting showers and overcast skies over the next four days, farmers in Telangana are increasingly anxious. Many are in the midst of harvesting paddy, with much of their crop lying in the open, either moved to harvest centres or in the drying process.

Several districts, including Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Khammam, and Bhadradri Kothagudem, are expected to experience moderate rainfall due to the impact of Cyclone Fengal. This has heightened concerns among farmers about potential crop damage.

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The procurement process has reached its final phase in major paddy-growing districts such as Nizamabad and Nalgonda. However, it is still in full swing in districts with late transplantation like Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, and Bhupalpally.

Against a target of 91 lakh metric tonnes for the Kharif marketing season, the Civil Supplies Corporation has so far procured close to 32 lakh metric tonnes. This means that about two-thirds of the target is yet to be realized. On average, around one lakh metric tonnes have been purchased from each of the 33 districts.

The Civil Supplies Department has alerted farmers and made arrangements to help them with the required number of tarpaulins and transport for swift delivery of stock from procurement centres to mills. Officials expect to procure another 20 to 25 lakh metric tonnes before the Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations close. Much of the paddy has already been purchased by private traders and millers.