The situation of Telangana farmers is becoming increasingly challenging with regards to paddy procurement. After enduring the hardships of cultivating their crops, many farmers are now forced to sell their harvests to private millers due to apathy of the Congress government.
Many farmers are opting to sell their produce directly to private millers rather than government procurement centers, even though these centers are offering an additional bonus of Rs. 500 per quintal for fine varieties of rice.
However, this bonus comes with conditions. To qualify, the moisture content of the grain must not exceed 17%. Achieving this level requires extensive drying, which reduces the weight of the crop by six to seven kilograms per quintal.
Combined with the labor-intensive drying process, the looming threat of unexpected rain, and prolonged waiting periods for payment, farmers find themselves under pressure. In contrast, during the previous BRS rule, farmers recall that payments for paddy purchases were typically deposited in their accounts within a week to ten days.
Many now express frustration and disappointment over the current delays, sharing that the situation has left them feeling disheartened and unsupported.