Hyderabad: Irrigation and civil supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday unveiled a comprehensive action plan for procurement of an all-time high target of 90 lakh metric tonne (LMT) of paddy during the ongoing rabi season.Addressing officials, including additional collectors, district civil supplies officers, and district managers of the civil supplies corporation, at a preparatory meeting for the rabi season, he said the projected paddy cultivation was across 54.48 lakh acres, with an expected yield of 1.52 crore metric tonne.State Civil Supplies Corporation has set an ambitious target of procuring 90 LMT — 60 LMT coarse and 30 LMT fine variety paddy.MSP Rates AnnouncedThe minister reiterated the minimum support price (MSP) rates fixed for the season at 2,389 per quintal for Grade A and 2,369 per quintal for the common variety.These rates, the minister stressed, would provide a significant boost to farmers’ income and act as a safety net against market fluctuations. He outlined key measures that officials must implement immediately to achieve the “record level procurement” target.All procurement would strictly adhere to the announced MSP rates, ensuring transparency and farmer confidence. Sufficient gunny bags (gunnies) were already positioned across centres. Officials were directed to arrange adequate vehicles well in advance for seamless movement of paddy from PPCs to rice mills.Every PPC would be equipped with tarpaulins, electronic weighing scales, moisture meters, automatic paddy cleaners, digital dial callipers, husk removers, and other essential tools.Emphasising zero distress sales, the minister assured full procurement of every grain, backed by robust monitoring, godown identification, and on-ground support to safeguard farmers’ interests. He assured farmers that every grain would be procured at the govt-fixed MSP without any distress sales.With large quantities of paddy expected, he directed officials to identify sufficient vacant godowns immediately. This is critical to prevent distress sales and protect harvested paddy from spoilage. Supervisory teams will be constituted at the constituency, mandal, and PPC levels for real-time monitoring of procurement operations.Weather Vigilance Acknowledging the risk of unseasonal showers, the minister instructed the use of the Weather App for issuing “alert notes” and taking all precautionary measures to safeguard paddy stocks. With summer conditions intensifying, farmers visiting PPCs would be educated to rest in sheds or tents.Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) sachets would be made available at all centres to prevent sunstroke. Collectors and additional collectors were instructed to personally visit every PPC and resolve issues on the spot.Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the entire exercise was aimed at preventing any distress to farmers. “We learnt from past successes and are leaving no stone unturned to make rabi 2025-26 the best season yet. This ambitious roadmap comes on the back of Telangana’s splendid performance in the previous kharif season, where the state achieved record paddy production and procurement. The rabi plan is expected to further strengthen the state’s position as a leader in food security and agricultural prosperity,” he added.
