Hyderabad: Telangana Civil Supplies Department has created a record by procuring paddy more than the expected targets. It purchased double the quantity what it purchased last year. In the last Kharif season, the Civil Supplies Department purchased 18.24 lakh tons of paddy from 4.17 lakh farmers at 2,716 Paddy Procurement Centers (PPCs).
In this Kharif season, till now the Civil Supplies Department procured a record 34.26 lakh tons of paddy from 6.71 lakh farmers through 3,280 PPCs with Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 1,770 per quintal for Grade-A and Rs 1,750 per quintal to common rice. Two to three lakh tons of paddy more was expected in a few more days.
Reasons for the high yield of paddy was due to good weather conditions, ample water supply due to timely rainfall and water distribution from irrigation projects. The government’s initiation of continuous power supply also helped in good yield. In Kharif season last year, some eight lakh hectare was used to cultivate paddy, whereas this year paddy was raised in 10 lakh hectare. There was also less damage to paddy from pests and diseases. Due to increase in MSP rates and rice millers’ reluctance to participate in MSP operations for their local business, the entire paddy produced by the farmers was being sold in PPCs, including paddy of preferred value.
Particularly, high yield paddy was recorded at Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Jagtial, Nalgonda, Karimnagar, Bhupalapally districts. After formation of Telangana State procurement of paddy in Kharif season was as follows: In 2014-15, the department purchased 11.03 LMT from 1,639 centers; in 2015-16, procurement was 15.13 LMT from 1,721 centers; in 2016-17, it was 16.47 LMT from 2,178 centers; In 2017-18, paddy purchase was 18.24 LMT from 2,716 centers.
For the paddy purchased in this Khariff season, Rs 6055 crore online payments have been made directly into 6,71,286 farmers’ accounts for 34.26 Lakh tons of paddy. As soon as track sheet was generated the balance payment will be completed.
Civil Supplies Commissioner Akun Sabharwal has congratulated his officers and staff for the feat. He said, “We procured paddy in record level this year in Telangana State beyond the target without any hurdles and problems. We moved forward coordinating with all the sections from District Collectors, Joint Collectors, Civil Supplies Corporation, Department Authorities to ground level without any errors and mistakes. In Kharif, we targeted to procure 25 LMT, but we procured 34 LMT and it may reach up to 36 LMT. Wet paddy caused due to Pethai cyclone will also be purchased. In Telangana history, highest yield was recorded and we succeeded in purchase it without any difficulties”, he added.
[source_without_link]NSS[/source_without_link]