Khammam farmers await Yasangi bonus as Vanakalam paddy procurement begins

Farmers in Khammam district are still awaiting the Rs 500 per quintal bonus promised for Yasangi paddy, even as officials prepare for Vanakalam procurement. Over Rs 65 crore remains unpaid to more than 18,000 farmers, prompting many to consider selling their produce to private buyers.

Khammam: Even as officials are gearing up for the Vanakalam paddy procurement, farmers in Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao’s own district are yet to be paid the promised Rs 500 per quintal bonus for Yasangi paddy.

It might be noted that the Congress government promised Rs 500 bonus per quintal for fine quality paddy, but deceived the farmers by failing to pay the bonus even after four months had passed since Yasangi paddy was sold, farmers complained.

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According to Civil Supplies department officials, about 1.60 lakh metric tons of paddy was procured in the last Yasangi season from nearly 18,893 farmers and an amount of Rs 65 crore was due to more than 18,000 farmers in Khammam district.

This has disappointed the farmers who thought that they could use the Yasangi bonus money for Vanakalam crops. In view of the Yasangi experience, farmers are planning to sell the produce to private buyers as there is no guarantee of getting the bonus.

“It is sad that the State government boasts itself as a pro-farmer government but has failed to clear the pending bonus dues to farmers,” Telangana Rythu Sangham district secretary Bonthu Rambabu said, demanding that the government immediately clear the paddy bonus dues.

A farmer, Mecharla Nageswara Rao of Vepakuntla in Raghunathapalem mandal in the district, said he had sold 48 quintals of paddy at the IKP procurement centre. But, the bonus amount was yet to be deposited in his bank account. When asked, officials said funds were not released from the government, he said.

Meanwhile, officials are expecting a record paddy yield this season as paddy cultivation has increased significantly and are planning to set up as many as 327 procurement centres across Khammam district aiming to procure 3.69 lakh metric of paddy. In Kothagudem, it is planned to set up 193 purchasing centres aiming to procure 2.38 lakh metric of paddy.