Hyderabad: The Telangana government prepared an action plan to procure about 65 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the 2026-27 Kharif season. Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju directed officials to make comprehensive arrangements and ensure farmers faced no difficulties during procurement.
The State estimated paddy cultivation across about 57.7 lakh acres during the current Vanakalam, or Kharif season. Paddy production was expected to reach about 119.57 lakh metric tonnes, Jaju said.
The Chief Secretary reviewed Telangana paddy procurement preparations with senior officials at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat on Thursday.
He directed all departments involved in procurement to work in coordination. The process should remain smooth, transparent and efficient for farmers, he said. Jaju also asked officials to use lessons from the previous Kharif season to improve this year’s procurement operations.
During the previous Vanakalam season, farmers cultivated paddy across about 70 lakh acres. The State recorded production of 154.41 lakh metric tonnes and procured 71.86 lakh metric tonnes, according to the Chief Secretary.
Telangana paddy procurement through 8,283 centres
The government planned to establish about 8,283 paddy procurement centres across Telangana for the 2026-27 season. Jaju directed officials to set up the centres through coordination among IKP, Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies and other procurement agencies.
Paddy was expected to begin arriving at procurement centres from October. However, officials anticipated significantly higher arrivals during November. Therefore, the Chief Secretary instructed departments to complete all required arrangements well in advance of peak procurement.
He asked officials to pay particular attention to paddy transportation and the availability of hamalis. In addition, departments were directed to ensure adequate godowns and storage capacity. The Chief Secretary also instructed officials to provide essential infrastructure and facilities for farmers at procurement centres.
Telangana paddy procurement to use farmer identification
Jaju directed officials to allot a unique identification number to every farmer arriving at a procurement centre to sell paddy. He also instructed departments to properly link farmers’ Aadhaar details with the bank accounts used for procurement payments.
The Chief Secretary stressed coordination among departments at every stage of the process. He said there should be no delays in procurement, transportation, storage or payments. Moreover, he directed officials to ensure that farmers received services quickly and transparently throughout the procurement process.
Agriculture Secretary Surendra Mohan and Agriculture Director Gopi attended the coordination meeting. Vigilance and Enforcement Director General D.S. Chauhan also participated. Civil Supplies Commissioner Stephen Raveendra and Transport Commissioner Ilambarthi were among the other senior officials present at the meeting.