Wanaparthy, Telangana — Farmers in Wanaparthy district, known for producing the highest amount of paddy in the former Mahabubnagar region, are facing major setbacks. Sudden rainfall on Wednesday night soaked their harvested paddy, leaving them worried and upset.
The worst-hit area is the market yard in Pebbair mandal, where large quantities of paddy were stored in the open. Farmers had spent over six months growing this crop. Now, much of it lies drenched and at risk of spoiling.
Officials from the Civil Supplies Department claim they are working to speed up the unloading process at rice mills. However, on the ground, delays continue. After weighing their paddy, many farmers are stuck at procurement centers, guarding their produce for days.
Frequent light showers have made things worse. Without proper shelter, farmers can’t fully protect their paddy. They’re feeling helpless as their crops sit exposed to the elements.
A key issue is the shortage of labor at rice mills. Although workers from Bihar—known for faster and cheaper services—are available alongside local laborers, the heavy influx of paddy has overwhelmed the system. Authorities have asked these workers to continue until the season ends, but it’s not enough.
The slow pace of unloading has caused a backlog. Even after the paddy is weighed, it often waits days before being transported to mills. Bags of paddy are piling up at procurement centers across the district.
Another major problem is the delay in lorry arrivals. With too few trucks available, farmers are unable to move their harvested grain on time. The combination of rain, lack of labor, and transport issues is pushing them to the edge.
Frustrated farmers are now urging the government to act quickly. They want better planning, timely truck arrangements, and more labor to prevent further damage to their hard-earned crops.
