AP to purchase 5 lakh metric tonne of Bondalu variety of paddy

KAKINADA: The AP government, which discouraged the cultivation of the Bondalu variety (MTU-3626) of paddy for the past six to seven years, is ready this season to buy the variety from farmers to an extent of 5 lakh metric tonne. This, after the central government gave its nod for procurement.

By the time of Kharif season, an indication had been given by the YSRC government to farmers that Bondalu variety would be procured on a large scale. Farmers in Kakinada, Konaseema and East Godavari district have cultivated Bondalu variety in 2 lakh acres. The per-acre yield is expected to be some 55 bagfull.

This variety of paddy used to be grown on a large scale in the second crop. This is a boiled variety and rice millers used to purchase it at higher prices, paying more than the MSP. Notably, this has a high demand in Kerala. But in Kerala and to an extent in Tamil Nadu too, the farmers are growing the same variety. The prices of paddy in AP remained high. As a result, Tamil Nadu rice millers and traders reduced the quantity of their purchases.

FCI also used to procure the boiled variety of rice. Yet, all things considered, the state government discouraged the cultivation of paddy in the last five to six years.

Meanwhile, the state government through civil supplies minister Karumuri Nageswara, tried to sign an MoU with the Kerala government in this connection. This did not progress as desired.

“I, on behalf of the state government, held discussions with the central government and got an order from it for 5 lakh metric tonnes of paddy. As much would be procured by FCI. Farmers will get Rs 1530 per 75kg bag, as per MSP. The rice millers are giving less; Rs 1200 per 75 kilo bag. The government would purchase what’s available with the farmers. There are no limits,” said the minister Nageswara.

The minister told the Deccan Chronicle that the cultivation of Bondalu variety of paddy had been banned during the Telugu Desam rule. The YSRC government revived it. “Previously, there was a short-supply of the Bondalu variety and the rice-millers used to purchase it at rates higher than the MSP. Now the farmers have grown the variety in lakhs of acres and hence the supply is more,” he said.

Nageswara felt that the present quantity available with the farmers would not suffice to reach the state’s purchase target of 5 lakh metric tonnes. After the paddy purchase, it would be given by the state government for custom rice milling for boiled rice, which would finally reach FCI.

Meanwhile, many farmers in Godavari districts are waiting for rice millers in the hope they would make the purchase at rates higher than the MSP.