Telangana: Uttam Kumar Announces Rs 500 Bonus for Grade-A Paddy Farmers

Hyderabad: Telangana is set for a record-breaking paddy harvest this Kharif season, with production expected to reach 1.5 crore tonnes, according to Telangana Minister for Civil Supplies and Irrigation, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy. The state government has launched an extensive procurement drive that aims to support approximately 10.15 lakh farmers.

In a recent video conference attended by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao, Ponnam Prabhakar, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, along with MPs, MLAs, and MLCs, Reddy stressed the importance of ensuring the success of this initiative. Telangana’s Civil Supplies Corporation plans to procure 91 lakh tonnes of paddy, including 47 lakh tonnes of Grade-A varieties and 44 lakh tonnes of common varieties.

A unique aspect of this year’s procurement drive is the Rs 500 per quintal bonus for fine (Grade-A) paddy varieties. Reddy noted that Telangana is the first state in India to introduce such a bonus for all farmers producing these premium varieties, in addition to the existing support price.

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Starting in January, the Congress-led government also plans to distribute fine-quality rice to all ration cardholders across the state, a move expected to benefit a large segment of the population.

Given the high anticipated yields, Reddy emphasized that this procurement effort would challenge the state’s logistical and operational capacities. He called on public representatives and officials to actively participate in the process to ensure smooth operations. Farmers were advised to meet the fair average quality standards set by the Food Corporation of India to facilitate the procurement.

To preserve the quality of the paddy, particularly the moisture-sensitive Grade-A varieties, Reddy highlighted that all procurement centers are equipped with dryers and cleaners. Officials have been instructed to ensure accountability during the transport of paddy from procurement centers to mills, as proper handling is crucial to preventing grain damage and discolouration.

This extensive initiative underscores Telangana’s commitment to agricultural development and farmer welfare, with the aim of making a significant impact on the livelihoods of more than a million farmers.