Hyderabad: Despite a record 1.53 crore metric tonnes of paddy produced in the kharif season, the state govt may miss the target of procuring 36 lakh metric tonnes of fine variety paddy.
The Telangana Civil Supplies Corporation (TGCSC) procured 13.25 LMTs of fine variety paddy as on Dec 9. Though paddy arrivals are expected up till the month-end, sources said the govt may not reach its procurement target as the season’s major arrivals have already been procured.
Govt needs 36LMTs of rice
The govt requires at least 36 LMTs of fine variety paddy for supply of fine rice through ration shops. After milling, the state gets 24 LMTs of rice from 36 LMTs fine variety paddy. The 24 LMTs fine rice is the annual requirement of TGCSC to supply rice through ration shops to over 89 lakh ration card holders. If the state govt falls short of the targeted 36 LMT of fine paddy, it may have to make alternate arrangements to fill the gap, sources said.

The Congress govt announced that it will supply fine rice through ration shops from the Sankranti festival. However, this deadline is likely to be extended as experts said that new rice does not cook well. It needs to be stored for at least three to six months to cook well. There is also a proposal to launch fine rice supply from Ugadi festival in March-end, but the govt is yet to take a decision on this.

Questions are abound as to where the fine variety of paddy has gone. Civil supplies commissioner DS Chauhan told TOI that 500 bonus on every quintal of fine paddy had resulted in bigger demand for fine rice in the market. Private merchants offered better prices to farmers than what the govt was offering, and the farmers sold it in the market, he explained. “We are happy for the farmers if they are getting a good price. The govt is offering 500 bonus on 2,320 MSP on fine paddy. The total comes to 2,820 per quintal. During my field visits and interactions, farmers told me that they got a better price than 2,820, Chauhan said.

However, enquiries by TOI revealed that though many farmers got a better price in market for fine variety paddy, other factors like lack of drying and blower facilities contributed to farmers selling paddy In market instead of bringing it to govt-organised procurement centres.

Kanneganti Ravi of Rythu Swarajya Vedika said that many farmers sell their paddy produce Immediately after the harvest for many reasons. “They do not want to take the risk of waiting for moisture content in paddy to come down to the FCI fixed 17% norm. Millers and private merchants purchase the paddy from them with even 25% moisture at a lesser rate than 2,800 offered by the govt for fine variety,” he said.

“Govt paying 500 bonus

Telangana rice millers association leader Mohan Reddy said, “The farmers have realised that the govt is paying 500 bonus. The ensuing rabi season rice, almost 100% fine variety, is likely to be sold only to govt.

Published Date: December 16, 2024