Rice millers not cooperating with farmers: Paddy moist in rains (Andhra Pradesh)

While the state government has given clear instructions to officials to shift paddy from the fields to the rice mills without allowing it to get wet in the rain, the rice millers are not cooperating with the government and the farmers.

In view of the cyclone, the state government wanted the officials to shift the paddy directly to the rice mills through Rythu Bharsoa Kendras (RBK). There exists a shortage of transport vehicles in the village and the rice millers are delaying unloading of the RBK- recommended paddy.

Rice millers are directly purchasing paddy from the farmers by paying them rates below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). They prefer to take the paddy from those farmers, but not the RBK-recommended paddy.

It is noted that there is no proper supervision vis-a-vis implementing the government instructions at the ground level. The rice millers are not heeding the voice of the Village Secretariat and requests from the RBK personnel.

“I took the paddy by a tractor to the rice mill recommended by the local RBK. My load of paddy was unloaded after 24 hours. Other paddy farmers were unable to take the paddy to the rice mills due to the shortage of transport vehicles,’’ said a farmer in Sahapuram village of Pedapudi Mandal in Kakinada district.

He said the special officers should pay attention to this and take corrective steps for speedy disposal of paddy at the rice mill level. The mediators are also making similar complaints.

Another farmer in Nadakuduru village said that his crop was inundated and damaged due to lack of vehicles to carry his paddy. He requested the government to purchase his entire paddy without considering the moisture content.

This article has been republished from The Deccan Chronicle.