Paddy procurement delays trigger farmer distress and protests across Telangana
Delays in paddy procurement across Telangana have left farmers in distress, with only half the planned centres opened. Protests erupted in several districts as farmers feared distress sales amid unseasonal rain threats and limited procurement by authorities.
Hyderabad: With Yasangi paddy harvesting in full swing across Telangana, inordinate delay in procurement has left farmers in distress, triggering protests in several districts. More than three weeks since the harvesting commenced, the State government opened around 3,400 procurement centre which is less half of 8,000 centres planned.
Farmers are seen drying grain along roadsides and stacking produce for days, awaiting the opening of procurement centres. In many areas, Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) and IKP groups are yet to even finalise locations. Farmers said they have been waiting for nearly 20 days, uncertain when procurement will begin.
Despite an estimated output of over one crore metric tonnes from 64 lakh acres, the Civil Supplies Corporation has procured only about three lakh metric tonnes so far, largely from parts of Nizamabad and Nalgonda. In most of the remaining districts, procurement has either not started or is negligible.
Though the government planned over 8,000 procurement centres, preparations have been completed for just 3,310, with procurement commencing in less than 1,000 centres. This situation raised fears among farmers of being forced into distress sales to middlemen, even as Minimum Support Price (MSP) remains fixed at Rs 2,389 per quintal for Grade-A paddy.
The situation is further aggravated by the looming threat of unseasonal rains, which could damage the harvested grain lying in the open. Unseasonal rains have already damaged crops in several parts of Kamareddy, Sangareddy, Mulugu districts and Palamuru region. The Meteorological department predicted more rains over next a couple of days across the State.
As a result, anger among farmers is spilling onto the streets. Protests were reported in Khammam, Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Medak districts, where farmers staged road blockades and sit-ins demanding immediate procurement of paddy, maize and Bengal gram. They accused the government of apathy and alleged that procurement targets were abruptly capped, forcing them to sell at lower prices. They also alleged that apart from making them wait for days together, paddy was being purchased after deducting nearly 5 kg per tonne as wastage, incurring them a loss.
Significantly, even ruling Congress leaders have flagged the issue. Choppadandi MLA Medipalli Satyam raised the issue with the district collector to immediately open procurement centres in Karimnagar district and ensure hassle-free, timely procurement with prompt payments. Leaders from Left parties and the Opposition BRS also raised the issue, calling for strict instructions to millers to avoid imposing conditions on farmers.
Despite mounting pressure from farmers and political leaders alike, the officials said adequate procurement centres have been already opened based on harvesting season. They said paddy procurement centres in remaining districts will be opened in a phased manner over next 10 days, depending on local harvesting time.
