Civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar announced that "Sankranti has come early" for farmers in the state as the government expedited depositing the payments of paddy sales into their bank accounts. (Image:DC)
Visakhapatnam: Civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar announced that "Sankranti has come early" for farmers in the state as the government expedited depositing the payments of paddy sales into their bank accounts. During a visit to Kalisetti Gudem in Srikakulam district on Monday, he said the payments for paddy sales are now being processed in 24 to 48 hours, a marked improvement aimed at alleviating the financial stress faced by farmers.
“So far, approximately Rs 36 crore have been deposited into farmers' accounts under the current procurement scheme, with around 1.1 lakh metric tons of paddy collected from Srikakulam district alone. District officials are actively working to ensure that farmers are informed about best practices for harvesting and storage, especially with forecasts of rain expected soon,” he informed.
The minister urged farmers not to sell their grain to middlemen, assuring them that the government would purchase their entire paddy. "We will buy every grain," he stated, highlighting recent changes in purchasing terms designed to benefit farmers directly. These adjustments include an increase in acceptable moisture content for paddy from 17 per cent to 24 per cent, allowing more flexibility for farmers affected by recent untimely rains.
In addition to immediate financial support, the government is also investing in infrastructure to assist farmers. A new grain drying facility is to be established in Srikakulam with an investment of Rs 40 crore. This unit would help local farmers manage their harvests better and reduce losses due to moisture damage, the minister explained.
Manohar also addressed irrigation issues in the region, promising the modernisation of key canals in the Etcherla constituency. He noted that these improvements would significantly benefit agricultural productivity and help prevent migration from the district. To enhance communication and accessibility, the government has introduced an AI-powered WhatsApp service named "Rithu Hi ", which provides farmers with real-time information on agriculture services, he added.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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