Record paddy procurement of 8.54 lakh metric tonnes so far; double the 3.94 LMT procured same time last year

Telangana has achieved a new milestone in paddy procurement, with 8.54 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) purchased so far during the Kharif 2025–26 season, double the 3.94 LMT recorded at the same time last year, according to Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy.

Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy, who along with Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, reviewed the progress with district collectors, said Telangana had set an unprecedented record in both paddy production and procurement.

“For the first time in India, a State government has decided to purchase 80 lakh tonnes of paddy in a single Kharif season,” he said.

He informed that 3.95 LMT of fine variety (sannalu) and 4.59 LMT of common variety had been procured so far. The number of farmers selling to government centres has nearly doubled from 55,493 last year to 1,21,960 this year.

The total MSP value of paddy procured stands at ₹2,041.44 crore, compared with ₹915.05 crore a year ago. Of this, ₹832.9 crore has already been paid to farmers, while the remaining ₹1,208.54 crore will be cleared through the Online Procurement Management System (OPMS) within 48 hours of registration.

The bonus value for fine paddy varieties rose sharply from ₹43.02 crore last year to ₹197.73 crore this year, of which ₹35.72 crore has been disbursed, he said.

The Minister directed all Collectors to remain in high alert mode to handle any adverse weather condition and take preventive steps to protect all crops, paddy, maize and cotton from damage.

Parallel to the paddy review, Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao held a detailed discussion with District Collectors on the procurement of cotton, maize and soybean, calling November the most crucial month for crop collection.

Collectors reported that maize farmers were satisfied with the government’s decision to increase the purchase limit from 18.5 quintals per acre to 25 quintals, helping them recover from weather-related losses.

On cotton, several Collectors highlighted the difficulties caused by the Cotton Corporation of India’s (CCI) new L1 and L2 purchase restrictions, which limit procurement to seven quintals per acre. Responding to this, the Minister said the Telangana government would press the Centre to raise the limit to 12 quintals per acre to ensure fair purchases at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Mr. Nageswara Rao said cyclone Montha had caused crop losses in about 1.10 lakh acres, including paddy, maize and cotton.