Uttam reviews record paddy procurement, directs officials to expedite payments
Hyderabad: Telangana has reached a major milestone in paddy procurement for the 2025–26 Kharif season, crossing 8.54 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) more than twice the 3.94 LMT recorded at this point last year. Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy reviewed the progress and directed officials to keep the process fast, fair, and farmer-focused.
Paddy procurement crosses 8.54 LMT mark
During a video conference with Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao and senior officials, Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana had made national history by setting a target of 80 LMT for Kharif paddy procurement the highest ever by any state.
The state has procured 3.95 LMT of fine variety and 4.59 LMT of common paddy. Meanwhile, the number of farmers selling to government centres has jumped from 55,493 to 1,21,960. The total value at Minimum Support Price (MSP) stands at ₹2,041.44 crore. So far, ₹832.90 crore has been paid, and the rest will be released within 48 hours via the Online Procurement Management System (OPMS).
Government steps up logistics and payment efforts
Uttam Kumar Reddy instructed collectors to closely monitor storage, transport, and field operations. He also asked them to set up tarpaulins at all procurement centres, share daily weather alerts with farmers, and immediately shift rain-soaked paddy to boiled rice mills.
To stop the spread of rumours, he asked officials to inspect centres and provide verified updates. “Protect every grain and pay every farmer on time,” he said.
Districts on alert after cyclone damage
Referring to the aftermath of Cyclone Monda, the Minister asked districts to stay alert. “No farmer should lose crops to rain or red tape,” he said. He also asked districts to prepare godown space and deploy local labour to prevent delays in stock handling.
Parallel review of cotton, maize, soybean
Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao held a separate review on cotton, maize, and soybean. Officials said raising the maize limit to 25 quintals per acre helped many farmers hit by weather damage.
On cotton, collectors flagged issues with CCI’s L1 and L2 limits, which cap procurement at 7 quintals per acre. Nageswara Rao said the state had asked the Centre to raise this to 12 quintals. He also urged approval to procure rain-damaged soybean to protect farmers from financial loss.
The Agriculture Department reported crop damage across 1.10 lakh acres and asked the Centre to relax moisture norms for this season.
November crucial for meeting target
Both ministers said November would decide the success of the procurement season. With 55% of total paddy procurement expected in the next four weeks, they called for tight coordination between agriculture, civil supplies, and district administrations.
Uttam Kumar Reddy ended the review by stating: “This is a farmers’ government. Every grain bought, every rupee paid, and every measure taken must show that commitment.”