Telangana hits 50 lakh tonnes mark in paddy procurement
Hyderabad: The Telangana State Civil Supplies Corporation procured 50 lakh tonnes paddy from about nine lakh farmers in the ongoing Vaanakalam (Kharif) paddy procurement season, breaking the previous year’s record of 48.75 lakh tonnes. The government is likely to procure another 20 lakh tonnes before end of the season.
Till date, the Corporation has procured more than 50 lakh tonnes paddy worth around Rs 10,000 crore from nine lakh farmers through 6,849 procurement centres. This is 13 lakh tonnes more than 37 lakh tonnes paddy procured for the corresponding period during the last Vaanakalam season.
Despite the unseasonal rains and Covid-19 restrictions, the paddy procurement has been completed in 1,810 centres across 14 districts. Farmers were advised not to worry about sale of their farm produce as the government will purchase entire paddy crop in the State as per instructions of the Chief Minister.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Thursday, the Corporation chairman Mareddy Srinivas Reddy said Telangana witnessed a significant increase in paddy procurement over the last seven years since the State formation. Due to the visionary leadership of Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, he said farmers in Telangana cultivated paddy and produced more than one crore tonnes last year, setting new records.
“During the difficult times of Covid-19 pandemic, Chief Minister Chandrashekhar Rao has come forward to purchase entire paddy crop of Vaanakalam season in order to safeguard farmers in the State by bearing the additional burden caused on the State exchequer,” he added.
Srinivas Reddy said the State government’s support instilled confidence among farmers to take up cultivation with renewed vigour and passion. Paddy procurement has increased from a meagre 11 lakh tonnes in Vaanakalam (Kharif) 2014-15 to 50 lakh tonnes this monsoon season. Till date, the Corporation has purchased over 2.47 crore tonnes paddy since the State formation. He urged the Centre to review its decision on paddy procurement and extend support to a progressive State like Telangana.
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