Telangana: Fine variety paddy faces quality assessment issues at purchase centres
By D. Chandra Bhaskar Rao
Farmers, especially those growing fine-grade paddy varieties, are struggling to get the right price for their produce due to various challenges. Quality assessment issues, inadequate testing infrastructure and lack of proper identification methods at the paddy purchase centres are the key factors affecting their earnings.
Farmers have reported difficulties in receiving adequate assistance in sampling, testing, and certification of paddy quality. This has led to problems in market yards, where the sale of paddy varieties is hindered by identification and quality control issues. Instances of mixing inferior quality paddy with high-quality varieties and misrepresentation of variety names have resulted in farmers receiving lower prices.
Paying less for quality paddy discourages farmers, affecting their productivity and profitability. This, in turn, results in a loss of trust in the system, price volatility, and reduced demand. Middlemen dominance remains a problem in many places, controlling supply chains and reducing farmers’ bargaining power. Many farmers also lack adequate access to markets due to local conditions.
It is forcing them to sell to local traders in the absence of real-time price information. Quality assessment issues, such as inadequate testing infrastructure, government procurement limitations, and market fluctuations, have led to reduced profitability for farmers. It would deprive the growers of the incentive extended for cultivating fine-grade varieties, impacting livelihoods and agricultural sustainability.
The production of paddy of the fine grades was projected to be over 88 lakh metric tonnes this time. There is a common impression that the system adopted in the purchase of fine-grade paddy in the constituency of Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy is missing in other places.
Some 33 fine-grade paddy varieties commonly grown in Telangana were considered for an incentive bonus of Rs.500 per quintal. They included BPT 5204, MTU 1010,MTU 7029, BPT 2222. KMR 3, Tellahamsa, Swarna,Samba Mahsuri, KMR 209.BPT 329, MTU 1088,MTU 1148,BPT 2231, RNR 15048, KMR 210,MTU 1001 and so on.
These varieties are known for their high yields, disease resistance and good grain quality. However, the sale of these varieties in market yards is challenging due to identification and quality control issues, including the mixing of inferior quality paddy with high-quality varieties and misrepresenting variety names or quality. Paddy arrivals in the markets are expected to pick up after Diwali festival and unless the issues being faced in giving a fair deal to the fine grades are addressed, it is expected to trigger a conflict situation in the yards.
This article has been republished from The Telangana Today