Has Telangana Achieved a Record Paddy Production of 148 Lakh Tonnes?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Record paddy production of 148.03 lakh tonnes achieved in Telangana.
- Government allocates Rs 22,000 to 23,000 crore for procurement.
- Farmers to receive payments within 48 hours.
- A total of 8,342 procurement centres established for smooth operations.
- Focus on both fine and coarse varieties of paddy.
Hyderabad, Oct 15 (NationPress) Telangana has recorded an unprecedented paddy yield of 148.03 lakh tonnes during the kharif season, as announced by State Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy.
This achievement is touted as the highest paddy production accomplished by any state in India.
He noted that the state is also expected to break records in paddy procurement, with the government allocating Rs 23,000 crore for this purpose. He emphasized that payments to farmers would be made within 48 hours of their registration.
The extraordinary production was attributed to the government policies implemented under the guidance of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, focusing on agriculture and support for farmers.
On Wednesday, the minister conducted a video conference with Collectors from the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Secretariat regarding paddy procurement.
State Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, Agriculture Secretary Surendra Mohan, Transport Commissioner Raghunandan Rao, Civil Supplies Commissioner Stephen Ravindra, among others, participated in the meeting.
Uttam Kumar Reddy instructed Collectors to facilitate a seamless procurement process so that farmers do not encounter any issues at the procurement centers.
He asserted that the state is not only setting a historical record with a yield of 148.03 lakh tonnes but is also targeting the procurement of 80 lakh tonnes of paddy, which will be another record.
The minister urged officials to remain vigilant to ensure the success of the largest procurement operation in the nation.
The government has earmarked between Rs 22,000 and 23,000 crore for the procurement of 80 lakh tonnes of grain, with a plan to procure 40 lakh tonnes of fine variety and 40 lakh tonnes of coarse variety.
A total of 8,342 paddy procurement centres have been established statewide for the purchase of paddy cultivated over 66.8 lakh acres. Among these, 4,259 centres are through primary agricultural cooperative societies, 3,517 through IKP centres, and 566 centres through other organizations.
District Collectors and civil supplies department officials have been instructed to coordinate and develop the necessary infrastructure at the purchase centres to ensure farmers face no challenges.
He directed officials to arrange complete transportation facilities to ensure the timely movement of procured paddy.
The minister stated that payments will be made within 48 hours of logging the details of the purchased paddy.
Farmers will receive a bonus in addition to the support price.