Paddy yield is expected to be more than 9.45 lakh metric tonnes in the 2024 rabi season in West Godavari district. Most of the area under paddy cultivation is part of the ‘Godavari delta’ that gets access to irrigation facility through the existing canals of the Godavari river .
Paddy is the major food crop grown in the rabi season in the Godavari delta which spreads across Kakinada, East Godavari, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Eluru and West Godavari districts.
West Godavari district Collector Sumit Kumar has claimed that a total of 7.50 lakh metric tonnes of paddy would be procured from farmers in the rabi season, while the total yield is estimated at more than 9.45 lakh metric tonnes.
Procurement centres
“Paddy procurement is set to begin in the first week of April. As many as 324 Rythu Bharosa Kendras have been designated as ‘Paddy Procurement Centres,” he said.
The Department of Civil Supplies and other stakeholders have been told to arrange 1.8 crore gunny bags to procure paddy from farmers.
Joint Collector C.V. Praveen Adithya said that at least 2,600 vehicles would be kept ready for the paddy procurement drive.
Mr. Sumit Kumar directed the officials concerned to coordinate the tasks of holding the 2024 general elections and the paddy procurement simultaneously.