Record paddy procurement by Telangana State

Stands fourth in the country after Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad: The Civil Supplies Corporation has recorded the highest procurement, more than the preceding year’s target, from farmers in the history of Telangana State.

In Kharif and Rabi seasons, it purchased 53.66 lakh metric tons (LMTs) from 10,93,196 farmers through 5,231 paddy purchase centres for Minimum Support Price (Grade-A - Quintal Rs 1510, Common - Quintal Rs 1470).

Commissioner for Civil Supplies C V Anand said the corporation targeted paddy yield about 37 LMTs in Rabi season this year, but it reached beyond the target. It purchased 37.14 LMTs of paddy from 6,93,020 farmers and paid Rs 5,626.77 crore through online to farmers’ accounts.

He said this year the State stood at fourth place in the country in paddy procurement after Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. While AP procured 55.32 LMTs, the Telangana Civil Supplies Corporation procured 53.66 LMT of paddy. In the same time, southern States of Kerala procured 4.53 LMTs and Tamil Nadu 2.11 LMTs.

The Civil Supplies Commissioner explained that in 2014-15, the State purchased 24.28 LMTs from 3,329 centres and paid Rs 3,390.50 crore. In 2015-16, it purchased 23.56 LMTs from 3,007 centres and paid Rs 3,396.97 crore. This year (2016-17) the State purchased 53.66 LMTs paddy from 5,231 centres and paid Rs 8105.34 crore. This year in Kharif season, 16.52 LMTs paddy was purchased from 4,00,176 farmers through 2,178 paddy purchase centres, he added.

Anand said the main purpose of Civil Supplies Corporation to make online payments to farmers was to remove middlemen’s involvement. Record payment of Minimum Support Price of Rs 8,105.34 crore was made to farmers through online, which is the highest in the country.

The Online Procurement Management System (OPMS) software was developed for the first time in India in Telangana State which would stand as a guide to other States in the country, he added.

As the corporation was prepared in advance by the expectation of high-yield mainly in Rabi season, Anand said that he had paid special attention on paddy procurement. Coordinating with all the sections State-wide from District Collectors and Joint Collectors to the ground staff, he ensured that farmers faced no difficulty in selling the yield and paddy procurement.

He personally visited 10 districts to check the paddy purchase, payments to farmers and transport of paddy. The Commissioner also congratulated the officials and staff of the corporation for reaching the target. He also thanked Ministers Eatala Rajender and Harish Rao for their help in achieving the target.