Opinion: A word to Telangana govt on rising paddy heaps

Paddy procurement is not a game of numbers. It is a system meant to protect farmers from distress

By Chitikena Kiran Kumar

To measure the development of a State, one need not look at the height of its buildings; the calm and satisfaction seen on a farmer’s face when he returns home after selling his crop is enough. From the day a seed sprouts in the field until the produce reaches the procurement centre, the journey is not merely agricultural — it carries the hopes of a family, the labour of an entire year, and the food security of society.
But when figures change at the end of that journey, announcements shift, and waiting periods increase, questions naturally arise. Standing amid heaps of paddy, the farmer asks only one thing — if growing the crop is my responsibility, whose responsibility is it to ensure justice for it? That question today stands before the system seeking an answer.

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Regaining Trust

Farmers’ concerns must not remain as political talking points; they must be reflected in practical solutions on the ground. More than procurement targets announced on paper, it is the efficiency of procurement centres that gives confidence to farmers. During the tenure of K Chandrashekhar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi government, schemes such as Rythu Bandhu and Rythu Bima, along with large-scale paddy procurement, were often highlighted by the government. Procurement centres at the village level were introduced in many places to facilitate direct purchase of paddy from farmers.

However, in today’s circumstances, farmers are not looking for reminders of the past — they seek timely procurement of their produce, clear decisions, and prompt payments. Trust from farmers alone can strengthen trust in governance.

For the farmer who grows paddy, what matters is not the count of sacks but the assurance behind them. Statistical presentations do not comfort the farmer who spends days sitting beside heaps of grain; only when his produce is weighed fairly, and payment reaches his hands, does his effort feel respected. Yet this season, there appears to be a widening gap between what is being said about paddy procurement and what farmers claim to be experiencing on the ground. The figures presented by the government and the concerns voiced by farmers seem to reflect two different realities.
Telangana did not earn its agricultural reputation without reason. The State’s recognition has been built on the sweat and determination of its farmers. In such a State, turning paddy procurement into a political argument is unfortunate. The mud on a farmer’s knees, sleepless nights in his eyes, cracked hands, and silent anxiety together reveal the true picture of the procurement system. Opening centres alone is not enough; availability of staff, functioning weighing systems, supply of gunny bags, labour for loading, timely weighing, and prompt payments are what truly matter.

Procurement Puzzle

Today, farmers are left with a major question: if procurement targets keep changing, where does confidence remain? Initially, large procurement numbers are announced, later revised figures appear, and finally, there are statements limiting the actual quantity purchased. But farmers do not need changing targets; they need certainty about whether their crop will be purchased. Their daily life, debt burden, children’s education, and household expenses are all linked to the sale of paddy. Even a week’s delay or a day’s negligence can become a serious setback for an entire family.
The government often claims that systems are being improved. Yet allegations continue regarding slow weighing processes, delayed loading, shortage of gunny bags, waiting charges, moisture-related issues, and deductions made during procurement. These challenges repeatedly place farmers under avoidable pressure. Towards the end of the season, time becomes critical for farmers. Making them move endlessly between centres only increases the hardship of their labour.

Telangana did not earn its agricultural reputation without reason; the State’s recognition has been built on the sweat and determination of its farmers

At the same time, the ruling side presents one version of procurement while the opposition offers another. Between these political exchanges, it is the farmer who feels trapped. The government should present procurement data transparently — district-wise, mandal-wise, and centre-wise. How much paddy arrived, how much was purchased, what remains, where delays occurred, and what obstacles exist should all be made public. Visible transparency creates confidence more effectively than broad declarations.

Fair Value

Farmers are not unfamiliar with politics. Yet, they understand one thing clearly — whether they received fair value for their produce. That value is not determined by meetings or media statements but by the weighing machine at the procurement centre, the people managing the process, the records maintained, and the speed of payments. If these function properly, farmers return home with peace of mind. Otherwise, they are pushed towards protests and public appeals for justice.

Another important point is that crop procurement should not become an issue remembered only during elections. It is a test of governance, a matter of the State’s credibility, and above all, a question of farmers’ livelihoods. Political challenges and sharp statements may attract attention, but farmers are not seeking political victories. They seek stability. Paddy heaps should not be ruined by rain. Farmers should not collapse under debt. Procurement centres should become centres of hope, not disappointment.

If the State genuinely stands with farmers, immediate attention is needed in a few areas. Procurement centres require adequate staffing. Clear rules must address moisture and arbitrary deductions. Gunny bags, transport facilities, labour support, and weighing infrastructure should be available on time. Payments must not be delayed. Daily procurement data should remain accessible to the public. Only through such steps can confidence in the system improve.

Finally, one thing must be stated clearly. Paddy procurement is not a game of numbers. It is a system meant to protect farmers from distress. When delays occur or fairness disappears, the farmer alone bears the burden. Therefore, governments must speak not through announcements but through action on the ground. Every farmer standing beside heaps of paddy should hear one message — “Your crop has assurance.” Only then can the farmer of Telangana truly breathe with confidence.