The Telangana government has broken a new record in food grain procurement by paying over Rs 10,000 crore to more than 8.35 lakh farmers in the state. Farmers who sold their grain at procurement centers were paid within three days. This year, the centers opened two weeks earlier than usual, on March 25, compared to April in previous years.
A total of 7,178 procurement centers were opened across the state this time for the rabi season procurement, with purchases made in 6,345 centers. By June 7, 47.07 lakh metric tonnes of food grain had been procured. While procurement in many areas is complete, some food grains are still expected to arrive at the centers in the next ten days. All districts have been instructed to keep the centers open until the end of the month to accommodate farmers who planted their crops late.
Originally estimating a procurement of 75.40 lakh metric tonnes of paddy this year, the Civil Supplies Corporation has seen a decrease in estimates due to higher market prices and private traders offering better prices. Proper arrangements were made at the procurement centers to protect farmers from strong winds and untimely rains. Districts like Jagtial, Kamareddy, Karimnagar, and others were at the forefront of grain procurement this season.
