Hyderabad: Telangana Civil Supplies Department created record by procuring paddy more than the expected targets.
The department purchased double the quantity what it has purchased last year. In last Kharif season Civil Supplies Department purchased 18.24 Lakh tons of paddy from 4.17 lakh farmers at 2716 Paddy Procurement Centers (PPCs).
In this Kharif season till now at record level 34.26 lakh tons of paddy is purchased from 6.71 lakh farmers through 3280 PPCs with Minimum Support Price (MSP) valued for Rs. 1770 per quintal for Grade-A and Rs. 1750 per quintal to Common Rice. Two to three lakh tons of paddy more is expected in few more days.
Reasons for the high yield is due to good weather conditions, ample water supply due to timely rainfall and water distribution from irrigation projects. With government initiation for continuous power supply also helped in good yield.
Last year in Kharif season 8 lakh hectares of acreage was used to cultivate paddy, whereas this it has grown to 10 lakh hectares. There was alsa less damage to paddy from pests and deceases.
And also due to increase in MSP rates and Rice millers reluctance to participate in MSP operations for their local business, entire paddy produced by farmers is being sold in PPCs, including paddy of preferred value.
In particularly high yield was recorded at Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Jagitial, Nalgonda, Karimnagar, Bhupalpally districts.
After the formation of Telangana State, the purchase of paddy in Kharif season increased from 11.03 LMTs from 1639 centres in 2014-15 to 18.24 LMTs from 2716 Centres in 2017-18.
Rs. 5213 Crores into farmers accounts through online
For the paddy purchased in this Khariff season Rs. 6055 crores online payments have been made directly into 671,286 farmers accounts for 34.26 Lakh tons of paddy. As soon as track sheet is generated the balance payment will be completed.
“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 LMTs, but more than the target we procured 34 LMTs. It may reach upto 36 LMTs. Wet paddy caused due to Pethai cyclone will also be purchased.
In Telangana history highest yield is recorded and we succeeded in purchase it without any difficulties,” Commissioner Akun Sabharwal said while congratulating all the authorities and staff. (INN)