Hyderabad: Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that Telangana has achieved the highest paddy procurement in independent India’s history, securing 71.64 lakh metric tonnes worth ₹19,000 crore during the 2025 Kharif season. Over 15 lakh farmers benefited from the unprecedented drive, making this Telangana paddy procurement effort a historic success.
Calling it a landmark moment, the Minister credited Commissioner Stephen Ravindra and the Civil Supplies Department team for the milestone. “This is not just a number. It’s a testament to our commitment to farmers’ welfare,” he said at a press briefing on Thursday. The success of this Telangana paddy procurement underscores the government’s dedication to agricultural progress.
Telangana to push for rice exports, upgrade storage
Building on the record procurement, the government is formulating new policies to promote export-oriented rice varieties. Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana is well-positioned to supply rice globally after meeting domestic demands through the Food Corporation of India, Public Distribution System (PDS), and local needs. The government’s plans for Telangana paddy procurement also focus on strengthening farmer incomes through exports.
He stressed the need for targeted incentives to help farmers cultivate paddy with high export value. The state is preparing a comprehensive export promotion framework to strengthen its role in international rice trade.
The Minister also highlighted that the Civil Supplies Department disburses around ₹38,000 crore annually to farmers through direct procurement programmes, which are an integral part of Telangana paddy procurement.
PDS transformed with fine rice for 85% population
Uttam Kumar Reddy noted a major shift in the state’s rice distribution system. Around 3.17 crore people, or 85% of the population, now receive six kilograms of fine-quality rice monthly. The government spends ₹13,650 crore annually on the scheme.
“We’ve moved away from supplying coarse grains. Now, all the rice distributed comes from Telangana-grown fine varieties,” he said. He added that quality and quantity are strictly monitored, eliminating earlier issues of substandard supply and black-market resale.
The Minister also announced aggressive plans to modernise storage infrastructure to match growing procurement volumes.