Paddy procurement: Telangana farmers face operational challenges, untimely rains
Despite expectations of a record paddy harvest in Telangana, procurement operations are faltering due to untimely rains, inadequate infrastructure, and a reduced procurement target from the Centre. With only 1,200 centres operational against the proposed 8,300, and over 2.36 lakh acres of crop damaged, farmers face income losses and uncertainty over support price operations.
Hyderabad: Insufficient procurement preparations and untimely rains are challenging paddy procurement as part of the minimum support price operations across the State amid hopes of a record harvest.
Only about 1,200 paddy purchase centres have been made operational in the main paddy zones as against the proposed 8,300 till date. These centres are expected to be equipped with modern amenities such as calibrated weighing scales, moisture meters, tarpaulins and paddy cleaners to ensure smoother operations.
Though officials have to ensure swift payment disbursals, advance transport planning, and separate handling arrangements for different paddy varieties, on-ground reports highlight operational challenges including delays in the opening of additional procurement centres.
Unfavourable weather conditions and inadequate facilities and backlogs in payment clearances in several districts have been impacting the operations.
Farmers who rush their wet or rain-soaked paddy to these centres often face rejections or heavy deductions for excess moisture, directly impacting incomes.
Given the trajectory of rising paddy production year after year with output scaling up from around 72 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) in 2019-20 to an estimated 148 LMT for the 2025-26 season, the gaps are glaring.
Despite this bumper harvest, uncertainty looms large over the scale of the procurement.
The State government has sought a target of 53.6 LMT of rice (equivalent to 80 LMT paddy), but central authorities have approved procurement for only 36 LMT of rice. This gap is significant since weakened rice export demand globally is pushing more farmers towards State procurement centres.
The biggest menace faced by the farmers this season was the untimely heavy rainfall, especially in September and October, coinciding with the main harvest and procurement schedule for the season.
More than 2.36 lakh acres of standing crops, mainly paddy, have suffered damage from floods and waterlogging. Major paddy-producing districts like Nalgonda, Suryapet and Yadadri-Bhongir witnessed damages caused by the rains in paddy procurement yards and open storage areas turning into waterlogged pools.
