The harvest and procurement of paddy cultivated in the additional (second) crop season are progressing in Kuttanad and other parts of Alappuzha. The Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) has procured more than 600 tonnes of paddy so far from farmers in the district.
After an initial delay, paddy procurement got off to a start on Monday. The hiccup in procurement was caused after mills decided not to purchase paddy in protest against the government’s “apathy” towards various issues raised by them. As of Wednesday, only one mill was taking part in the procurement process in Alappuzha. In the 2021 additional crop season, as many as 30 mills in the district participated.
Farmers who are upset over the slow start to procurement have sought government intervention to end the impasse. Despite intermittent showers in the district, farmers have been forced to keep the harvested paddy on polders or in the open due to the lack of proper storage facilities.
