Forced to wait for 10 days to sell produce
Delays in the purchase of paddy at Paddy Procurement Centres (PPCs) and other anomalies have caused immense suffering for farmers in the district. Farmers are being forced to stay at PPCs for a minimum of five to 10 days to sell their stock. (Image: DC)
Nalgonda: Delays in the purchase of paddy at Paddy Procurement Centres (PPCs) and other anomalies have caused immense suffering for farmers in the district. Farmers are being forced to stay at PPCs for a minimum of five to 10 days to sell their stock.
Rain-soaked stocks at PPCs are forcing many farmers to stay outdoors for days to dry their paddy and reduce moisture levels below 17 per cent. Out of an estimated 7.5 lakh metric tons (MT) of paddy expected at 350 PPCs in Nalgonda, including 2.8 lakh MT of fine variety stocks, only 15,000 MT has been purchased so far.
Fearing further delays at PPCs, farmers are selling their stocks directly to rice millers, foregoing the bonus of Rs 500 per quintal they would have otherwise received.
V. Lingaiah, a farmer from Ramalinga Legudem, said he sold his fine rice variety paddy to a miller at a price far below the MSP. To sell the paddy at PPCs, he would have to wait for 15 days to dry his stocks to achieve the required moisture level.
A majority of the stocks arriving at PPCs are of non-fine rice varieties. Samudrala Sathaiah, who has been waiting for 10 days at Arjalabavi PPC to sell his stocks, stated that if his paddy had been lifted within two days, there would have been no problem. Due to the delay, his stock was soaked in rain twice in the last week. He has no other option but to stay at the PPC for another five days to dry his wet paddy.
Jerripothula Danamma, a woman farmer who stocked her paddy in Arjalabavi PPC, said she brought the paddy on November 1. Her paddy was soaked in the rain, and at least five per cent of her stocks are not fit for sale.
Putta Ramulu, another farmer who stocked his crop at Nakrekal PPC, said he has been staying at the centre for seven days. His family members bring him food daily from his village, Chandupatla, travelling 10 km, he lamented.
Narsinga Somulu, who dumped his paddy in the PPC five days ago, said there is no doubt he would stay there for another 10 days to sell his crop. In case of rain, the waiting time would further increase, he added.
K. Janaiah, who sold his paddy at a PACS in Arjalabavi, said the amount was credited to his bank account 15 days after the sale. He urged the state government to reduce the deposit time.
Another farmer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said officials are delaying the purchase by 10 days if they speak to the media.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
Next Story
