Paddy procurement demands raised by Uttam

Hyderabad: Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy raised urgent paddy procurement demands before the Centre, seeking higher allocations and deadline extensions to manage surplus production in Telangana.

In a letter to Union Food Minister Prahlad Joshi, the minister flagged a growing mismatch between rising paddy output and reduced procurement targets. He said the situation could lead to distress sales if corrective steps are not taken.

The minister requested reallocation of 5 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of boiled rice target for Rabi 2024-25 by reducing the raw rice component. He pointed out that 8.45 LMT of rice remains pending for delivery and sought a 60-day extension beyond the February 28, 2026 deadline.

He said Telangana’s paddy has better grain quality and lower moisture content, making it suitable for parboiled rice. Rice millers have agreed to supply with only 5% broken grains, offering a viable solution to meet procurement needs.

Paddy procurement demands focus on higher targets

The minister also sought an increase of 20 LMT in the boiled rice target for the 2025-26 marketing season, covering both Kharif and Rabi crops. He said this step is necessary to align procurement with the state’s growing production capacity.

He further requested an additional two-month extension for Rabi deliveries, citing pending verification of Kharif stocks and the need for more processing time.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana has seen a sharp rise in paddy production after 2023 due to improved irrigation and farmer-focused policies. However, reduced central allocations of Custom Milled Rice and boiled rice have created excess stock burdens.

He warned that the state is facing rising storage, milling, and interest costs. He added that continued procurement is essential to protect farmers and ensure Minimum Support Price benefits.

The minister urged the Centre to respond positively, stating that without enhanced support, the state cannot sustain the financial strain of surplus paddy management.