■   The government has spent Rs.8,003 crore on procuring 34,78,725 metric tonnes of paddy

■    In 20 days, procured 50,000 metric tonnes of paddy through 300 procurement centers in Nellore district

The minister condemned misinformation campaigns that suggested farmers were struggling to sell their paddy. False propaganda was spread, claiming there were no buyers, while ground reports tell a different story

Metro India News | AMARAVATI 

Andhra Pradesh has recorded a significant increase of 18% in paddy procurement during the current Kharif season compared to the previous administration, with a total of 34.78 lakh metric tonnes of paddy procured so far. This was announced by Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister Nadendla Manohar during a press briefing at his camp office in Tenali.

The government has spent Rs.8,003 crore on procuring 34,78,725 metric tonnes of paddy, ensuring farmers receive fair compensation without delays. Minister Manohar criticized the previous administration, stating that farmers had struggled to sell their produce under the previous regime. “Farmers had no choice in selecting rice mills for selling their paddy. Many were forced to travel over 70 km, waiting for five to six days, often sleeping under their trucks, only to face rejection due to excessive moisture content,” he said.

He credited Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan for streamlining the procurement process, ensuring that farmers are paid promptly. He described crossing the Rs.8,003 crore milestone as a historic achievement in the state’s paddy procurement system.

The minister condemned misinformation campaigns that suggested farmers were struggling to sell their paddy. “False propaganda was spread, claiming there were no buyers, while ground reports tell a different story. We have successfully countered these misleading narratives and ensured a smooth procurement process,” he asserted.

Additionally, the minister revealed that the previous government had left Rs.5,690 crore in unpaid dues to farmers after procuring their paddy. The new government, within a month of coming to power, cleared Rs.1,674 crore of these pending payments, directly transferring the amount into farmers' bank accounts.

The minister also exposed a major scam in Nellore district, where the previous government failed to procure even a single bag of paddy in the 2023-24 season. Instead, funds meant for procurement were allegedly misused. “It has come to light that money meant for farmers was diverted, and instead, officials indulged in purchasing luxury Rolex watches and Skoda cars,” he alleged.

He further stated that during the COVID-19 period, Nellore saw no paddy procurement for two consecutive years, leaving behind Rs.400 crore in unpaid dues. In contrast, the current administration has, in just 20 days, procured 50,000 metric tonnes of paddy through 300 procurement centers in the district.

Minister Manohar announced that the government will soon begin distributing premium-quality rice under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in schools across the state.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring a transparent and farmer-friendly procurement system, stating, “With a Minimum Support Price (MSP), proper transportation, and moisture control mechanisms in place, our government will continue to stand as a pillar of support for Andhra Pradesh’s farmers.”