Collector launches WhatsApp-AI service to streamline procurement, ensures fair price for farmers.
Vijayawada: The NTR district administration has promised farmers that every grain of paddy from the Rabi (2024–25) season would be procured without fail.
Stating this on Sunday, district collector Lakshmisha announced a new service for paddy procurement via WhatsApp. Farmers can send a simple "Hi" message to 73373 59375. By providing details such as the centre, date, time, and type of paddy, they can reserve a booking slot.
This service leverages AI voice technology to simplify and streamline the procurement process.
The collector inspected paddy stocks laid out for drying along the Polavaram canal bund in Nunna, near Vijayawada. He personally checked the moisture content, interacted with farmers, and monitored the loading of paddy into trucks in the presence of civil supplies officials and rice millers.
Some farmers complained to the collector that millers were making unwarranted deductions from the Minimum Support Price (MSP) by citing false reasons like high moisture levels. To this, there was no satisfactory answers from the civil supplies manager. This irritated the collector.
The collector criticised the poor maintenance of the paddy procurement centre (PPC) operated by the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society in Nunna.
Reassuring the farmers, the collector said they would receive the MSP for every grain and urged them not to believe in rumors related to grain purchases.
Despite losses during the Kharif season due to the Budameru floods, farmers have reported good yields this Rabi season. The collector asked officials to ensure prompt procurement and rewards for farmers' efforts.
The collector estimated that, this time, 1,66,470 metric tonnes of paddy would be produced in the district. Of this, 38,667mt have already been harvested, with drying currently in progress. So far, 9,223 mt of paddy worth Rs 18.81 crore has been procured from 601 farmers.
He noted that payments are being credited to farmers' accounts within 24 hours of the purchase.
