Palakkad paddy procurement remains ineffective even as the first-crop harvest nears completion, leaving farmers dependent on private mills, vulnerable to rain damage and waiting for the state procurement price to be announced. The delay has been attributed to staff shortages in the field-level procurement system and unresolved administrative decisions involving Supplyco and the finance department.
Farmers had expected procurement through Supplyco to begin in September, but the process had not become effective by the first week of November, according to the report. With limited storage available, several farmers have been forced to keep harvested paddy in fields under tarpaulin sheets while waiting for inspections and the issuance of paddy receipt sheets, or PRS.
Intermittent rain has increased the risk of losses. If harvested grain becomes wet, its quality may deteriorate, potentially affecting the price farmers receive and increasing the pressure to sell quickly to private mill operators. Farmers have told the Kerala Karshaka Sangham that such sales can take place at lower prices than the government procurement rate.
The district committee of the Kerala Karshaka Sangham has criticised the government and Supplyco for failing to streamline the process. District president K D Prasennan and district secretary M R Murali said the delay was creating uncertainty for thousands of families dependent on farming and called for immediate action to resolve the procurement crisis.
Staff shortages have affected the system at both district and field levels. Palakkad requires three paddy marketing officers, but only one is currently available, according to the organisation. Each Krishi Bhavan is expected to have three to four field staff, while many offices have only one. The shortage has slowed field inspections, measurement of harvested paddy and the issuing of PRS documents needed to complete procurement.
A field staff member can visit about 20 farmers in a day, making it possible for procurement to take months if the current staffing situation continues. The delay also leaves the process dependent on weather conditions because farmers without adequate storage cannot safely hold their harvest for long periods.
Farmers are also waiting for the procurement price. The government had reportedly assured them that the rate would be announced in the last week of October, but no announcement had been made by the time of the report. Supplyco has recommended a price of Rs 32 per kilogram, which is under consideration by the finance department. The next steps are the price decision, deployment of sufficient field staff and the completion of inspections and procurement in the affected areas.
