Procurement Delays Leave Farmers Stranded Despite Bumper Harvest in Warangal
Civil Supplies Department officials said arrangements are being finalised and that procurement will proceed smoothly once all centres become fully operational across the districts
WARANGAL: Farmers in the erstwhile Warangal district are unable to sell their produce despite a bumper harvest of paddy and maize, as procurement centres have either not opened or are functioning below capacity, leaving stocks exposed to heat and possible summer rains.
The situation is acute for maize cultivators. For the 2025-26 season, maize was grown on 46,000 acres with an estimated output of 1.38 lakh quintals. With limited procurement, open market prices have dropped to Rs 1,600-1,900 per quintal against the Minimum Support Price of Rs 2,400, resulting in losses of up to Rs 900 per quintal. Farmers said cultivation costs have reached Rs 40,000 per acre.
Tensions escalated in Thorrur mandal of Mahbubabad district, where farmers protesting delays clashed with police. Protesters alleged that they were threatened with cases while seeking procurement. Roadblock protests were also held in Mulugu district under the aegis of the Telangana Rashtra Rythu Sangham.
One of the farmers, Thoutam Sammaiah said that they have been waiting here for nearly a month, keeping their grain in heaps and watching the skies in fear. The government has opened two centres, but they have only moved two truckloads of grain so far. The time to start sowing for the next season is already arriving, yet their current crop is still lying in the market.
At several centres, including Mallampalli, farmers reported no movement of grain for nearly 20 days due to lack of transport. A shortage of gunny bags has further slowed procurement, with produce lying in the open.
Farmer Nakka Biskhapathi said that not even half of the procurement centres have opened, and those that have are failing to procure due to a shortage of gunny bags and lorries. The government has taken no proper decision on maize and left them in a pathetic state where they are forced to leave their paddy rotting on the roads or to sell their crop at half price to private traders.
In Hanamkonda and Warangal districts, where paddy was cultivated on nearly seven lakh acres, farmers have been forced to dump produce on highways while awaiting procurement or transport.
District general secretary of the Telangana Rashtra Rythu Sangham Md. Amzad Pasha alleged that it is deeply concerning that farmers, after months of hard work, are forced to wait for nearly a month at procurement centers to sell their grain. With the Rohini Karthi approaching, farmers need to prepare for the next sowing season, yet their current harvest remains stuck in the markets. He urged the government and officials to stop being indifferent and take immediate action to shift the grain to mills and rescue farmers.
Civil Supplies Department officials said arrangements are being finalised and that procurement will proceed smoothly once all centres become fully operational across the districts.
