Hyderabad: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to ensure smooth Kharif paddy procurement across Telangana.
He asked officials to prevent delays at Paddy Purchase Centres and ensure farmers received payments without difficulty. The procurement operation would involve ₹18,250 crore.
Uttam Kumar Reddy reviewed the Vanakalam procurement arrangements with officials from across the State on Saturday. Additional Collectors, District Civil Supplies Officers and District Managers of the Telangana State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited attended the review.
The government planned to procure 65 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy during the 2026-27 Kharif marketing season. Therefore, Uttam directed officials to complete preparations before procurement began.
The State would establish 8,283 Paddy Purchase Centres (PPCs). These would include 3,180 IKP centres, 4,372 PACS centres and 731 other centres.
Kharif paddy procurement centres to open by October 1
Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to open every purchase centre by October 1. Procurement would begin on October 15.
Meanwhile, the Centre had fixed the Minimum Support Price (MSP) at ₹2,461 per quintal for Grade-A paddy. It had set the MSP for common paddy at ₹2,441 per quintal.
In addition, the Telangana government would give farmers a ₹500-per-quintal bonus for seven preferred varieties. These were BPT-5204, RNR-15048, KNM-1638, Jaisriram, HMT-Sona, WGL-44 and KNM-7715.
The Minister said officials selected the seven varieties after assessing domestic and international markets. Accordingly, the government aimed to promote varieties capable of fetching better prices.
He said the larger objective was to secure remunerative prices for farmers. This could come through government procurement or sales in the open market.
Furthermore, Uttam Kumar Reddy called for a long-term strategy to develop an export market for Telangana rice. “We should gradually encourage exports and create a sustainable export market for Telangana rice,” he said.
Minister seeks stronger market for Telangana rice
The Minister pointed to cases where the government later sold procured grain below its procurement cost. As a result, such price differences could increase the financial burden.
He said an export-focused policy could create stronger demand for Telangana rice. At the same time, it could help reduce the financial pressure caused by lower disposal prices.
Uttam also stressed the need for a sustainable export market. Therefore, he asked officials to consider a longer-term approach to rice exports.
The review included Additional Collectors, District Civil Supplies Officers, TGSCSCL District Managers and other officials from across Telangana.
Officials now have to complete preparations for the October 15 procurement start.