Telugu Rythu wants paddy saved from cyclone

Kakinada: Telugu Rythu has requested state government to intervene and save paddy crop in view of cyclone Mandous, as there is not enough storage space available to farmers for saving their crop.

In this regard, Telugu Rythu general secretary Akula Ramakrishna visited Rythu Bharosa Kendram (RBK) at Eethakota village in Ravulapalem mandal. He requested officials there to procure paddy on a war-footing. Otherwise, in case there are rains owing to the cyclone, the entire crop will be damaged and farmers would incur heavy losses, he pointed out.

Ramakrishna suggested that in the interim, state government supply tarpaulins to protect paddy from rains.

Pointing to another issue, he pointed out that as per guidelines, moisture content in paddy should not exceed 17 percent. But due to winter and fog, this percentage is not being met even though farmers are dying the crop for four days or more.

Given the circumstances, the Telugu Rythu leader suggested that as soon as paddy is harvested, it should be carried to rice mills, which have paddy drying machines. This will be of great help to farmers.

Ramakrishna said to sort out the shortage of gunny bags, government should procure them from neighbouring Karnataka or Tamil Nadu states. He wanted transport and hamali charges also credited to farmers’ accounts, along with paddy amounts.