Though the sudden showers have brought the much needed relief to the citizens from the summer heat, it is sending farmers into a tizzy in Krishna District. The ryots, who were elated over a bumper Rabi crop this year, now fear that the untimely rain can discolour their paddy stocks, fetching them poor price in the market.
Farmers cultivated paddy in 2 lakh acres in the district and harvesting operations are already on in areas like Kaikalur and Avanigadda. They are expecting a yield of 40 bags of paddy per acre. “The millers are offering about Rs. 1,000 per bag of 75 kg. But, a steep fall in price is imminent if the paddy gets discoloured in rain,” said Kisan Service Organisation secretary P.S.R. Das. Harvesting operations have been completed in nearly one lakh acres and the farmers are all set to hit the market yard. Crop in another one lakh acre is yet to be harvested. Farmers say though they get a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs.1,300 per quintal for the ‘A’ grade variety, they will be left at the mercy of millers if the produce is discoloured.
The farmers were also quite vocal against the delay by the State government to open paddy procurement centres. “Though the Election Commission has clarified that there is no ban on opening the procurement centres, the Civil Supplies Department has turned a cold shoulder towards the issue,” said P.S.R. Das.
Every year, the government opens 30 to 40 procurement centres in the district and buy nearly half of the produce available with farmers. “In simple terms, the farmers will lose half of their produce if the procurement centres are not opened immediately,” Mr. Das said. The recently-concluded general election has added to the woe of the farmers. There is an acute shortage of vehicles for transportation of paddy. The transporters are also not willing to go to rice mills citing that they are busy. The farmers are, therefore, are being forced to shell out extra bucks to shifting their produce to markets.
