Green gram farmers in Khammam allege rejection of produce despite meeting moisture norms

Green gram farmers in Khammam district allege that procurement officials are rejecting produce despite moisture levels meeting prescribed norms. With 2,500 quintals reportedly rejected, farmers risk selling in private markets at lower prices, prompting the Rythu Sangham to warn of protests.

Khammam: Farmers who have grown green gram (moong) in Khammam district are worried over alleged delays in checking the moisture content and quality of their produce at procurement centres, followed by rejections on the grounds of moisture content and quality.

Following requests from farmers’ associations, the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) has set up two procurement centres, one at Khammam Agriculture Market and another at Wyra Agriculture Market.

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The Telangana State Cooperative Marketing Federation Limited (TS MARKFED) and the District Cooperative Marketing Society (DCMS) are monitoring the procurement. The minimum support price (MSP) for the Kharif season has been fixed at Rs 8,780 per quintal.

Farmer Rayala Narasimha Rao of Konijarla said he had harvested 30 quintals of green gram from 12 acres. Although the moisture content was within the government-stipulated limit of 12 per cent, officials rejected his produce, citing poor quality.

“After raising our hopes for four days, they ultimately turned us away empty-handed,” he complained.
Another farmer, Radhakrishna, alleged that officials had not purchased produce from a single farmer. He said raising objections despite the produce being of good quality was an anti-farmer move.

“It is disheartening to face rejection after waiting days for the procurement of green gram at the MSP,” he said.

According to Telangana Rythu Sangham district secretary Bonthu Rambabu, green gram was cultivated across 35,000 acres in Khammam district. The area under cultivation had increased this year compared to previous years, driven by prevailing rainfall conditions.

The procurement agency reportedly rejected 2,500 quintals of green gram brought by farmers to the procurement centres at Khammam and Wyra markets, citing a lack of quality. The rejections could force farmers to sell their produce in the private market, where they are being offered Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 per quintal.

Farmers are already facing difficulties due to deficient rainfall amid El Niño conditions. Rambabu said the rejection of their produce by officials was unjustified and warned that the Rythu Sangham would launch protests if the entire produce was not procured at the MSP.