Nellore Farmers Demand Fair Paddy Procurement

Agriculture & Rural

Posted by AI on 2026-02-10 15:29:21 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-10 17:02:39

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In a significant move to address the concerns of Nellore's agricultural community, Kovur MLA Vemireddy Prashanthi Reddy and Penna Delta System chairman Jetty Rajagopal Reddy met with district collector Himanshu Shukla, advocating for swift action to streamline paddy procurement processes. The meeting, held at the Nellore collectorate, underscored the urgent need for farmer-centric solutions, particularly after the losses incurred during the September 2025 harvest.

MLA Vemireddy emphasized the importance of deploying Village Agricultural Assistants (VAAs) at paddy purchase centres, arguing that their local knowledge would better serve farmers' interests. She also brought to light the financial strain on primary agricultural cooperative societies, with commissions from the civil supplies department pending since 2021. The MLA's demands included the timely release of funds, improved transportation, and the early opening of procurement centres to prevent a repeat of last year's scenario, where farmers suffered losses of up to Rs 20,000 per acre due to delayed operations.

The district collector responded promptly, instructing the joint collector to release the pending dues of Rs 6.89 crore to the primary cooperative societies in the Kovur constituency. He also acknowledged the logistical challenges and directed officials to coordinate with the civil supplies department to address issues related to gunny bags and transportation, ensuring a more efficient procurement process.

With the meeting attended by key agricultural and political figures, including mandal agriculture officer Anitha and senior TD leaders, the stage is set for potential improvements in Nellore's paddy procurement system. The district administration's response offers hope to farmers, promising a more supportive environment for their livelihood. As the region gears up for the next harvest, the timely implementation of these measures will be crucial in determining the success of Nellore's agricultural community.

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