Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has assured farmers that the state government will purchase all the damaged paddy due to untimely rains. KCR requested farmers not to worry about the paddy that got wet in the rainwater. He stated that the government would pay the same price for rain-soaked paddy as it does for normal paddy during procurement.
KCR reiterated that the government's objective is to protect agriculture and rescue farmers from problems. The CM held a review meeting at the Secretariat on the procurement of Yasangi paddy and wet paddy, measures to ensure early harvesting of Yasangi paddy in the future and activities of the agriculture department.
Due to recent excessive and untimely rains, KCR directed the Agriculture Department to research policies for completing Yasangi paddy harvesting before March and educating farmers about them.
KCR expressed his regret over the unabated, untimely hailstorms and rain in the state. He acknowledged that there is no control over natural calamities, but assured that the state government is already providing support to farmers who have lost crops due to hailstorms by offering Rs 10,000 per acre, despite the heavy burden on the state exchequer.
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Officials informed KCR that there are some challenges in procuring paddy due to untimely rains. As the state is expected to experience rains for the next three to four days, the CM advised farmers to stop harvesting the paddy to avoid wetting the grain.
The CM requested farmers to plan their paddy plantations early and ensure that Yasangi paddy harvesting is completed by the end of March every year. KCR also directed the Agriculture Department to conduct more scientific studies in this direction and sensitize farmers. The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of making farmers aware of fertiliser use.