Adilabad: Farmers in Mancherial and Nirmal districts are facing delays in paddy harvesting due to recent unexpected rains, with those relying on harvesting machines waiting for the soil to dry out before starting. Concerned that the heavy machinery might get stuck in the mud, many farmers have held off, although some have begun manual cutting in drier areas.
As the soil dries, farmers anticipate being able to use the machines, a common alternative to manual labour. Meanwhile, those who have already harvested are drying their paddy, as delays in transporting the produce to procurement centers led to it becoming soaked.
In response, district cooperative agricultural marketing societies have set up procurement centres in select locations. On Thursday, Khanapur MLA Vedma Bojju inaugurated a DCMS paddy procurement centre at Indhanpalli in Jannaram mandal, noting that the state government is providing a Rs 500 bonus for premium paddy varieties. He advised farmers to ensure moisture content remains below 17 per cent by drying their stocks under sunlight.
Sandeep Reddy, a harvester operator from Danthanpalli, stated that he expects to begin work in three to four days, once the fields have dried sufficiently. Sidam Gangadhar, a farmer from Mothiramguda in Bheersaipet, confirmed that cutting has just started in his area.
