Farmers in the Ayacut area of Nagarjuna Sagar district in Telangana have begun harvesting paddy crops using harvesters. They have grown thin rice varieties such as HMT, Chintu, and JJ, which have been recognised by the government as Grade-1. After harvesting, farmers are selling their Yasangi crop to rice millers and receiving a good Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops this year. The government had announced Rs 2,060 per quintal for Grade-1 and Rs 2,040 per quintal for the general variety of paddy. However, millers are paying more than the government’s MSP, with prices ranging from Rs 2,300 to 2,320 per quintal for thin paddy varieties.
The Nagarjuna Sagar left canal provides irrigation facilities to Nalgonda, Suryapet, and Khammam districts in Telangana and the Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh. Farmers have cultivated paddy crops over 10,000 acres under the left canal Ayacut. Despite facing challenges such as pests that have reduced the yield of paddy crops, farmers are happy to receive relief in the form of a higher MSP for their farm produce.
Telangana rice millers’ association vice-president Karnati Ramesh and Miryalguda rice millers association president Gouru Srinivas have informed that millers are paying Rs 2300 per quintal against the central government’s recommended MSP of Rs 2,060 with 17 per cent moisture. With the cultivation of thin paddy varieties proving to be profitable for farmers in the Ayacut area, it is likely that more farmers will follow suit in the future.
