Telangana Government Procures Record Rain-Soaked Paddy, Supports Farmers Amid Crisis
In May 2026, Telangana’s government launched an emergency response to procure rain-soaked paddy from 17 districts after unseasonal rains damaged nearly 10,214 metric tonnes. Ministers visited procurement centers, directing officials to speed up purchases and transport. The state procured a record 75 lakh metric tonnes, representing 60% of India’s total, and disbursed over ₹11,500 crore directly to 9.31 lakh farmers via Minimum Support Price. However, the central government’s reduced procurement quota forced Telangana to bear additional financial burden.
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Telangana Ministers Urge Centre to Recognize Changed Agricultural Realities and Boost Rice Procurement Targets
Telangana Ministers N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Tummala Nageswara Rao met Union Minister Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi to press for immediate approvals on key agricultural demands. The state requested a sharp increase in the Rabi 2025-26 rice procurement target from 35 LMT to 54.50 LMT (equivalent to 80.09 LMT of paddy already procured) and permission to deliver the entire quantity as boiled rice, citing the suitability of local paddy for parboiled milling. They also sought extensions of 60 days for pending Rabi 2024-25 CMR deliveries and 120 days for Kharif 2025-26 deliveries. Official data presented showed total procurement for Kharif and Rabi of KMS 2025-26 reached a historic 152 LMT. Over the last three major seasons, Telangana procured 69.50 LMT of paddy above government targets, incurring an additional MSP-related financial burden of nearly ₹16,446 crore borne by the state exchequer, including ₹6,837 crore in Rabi 2025-26 alone. The delegation urged the Centre to recognize the changed agricultural realities and support the state's farmers.
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Telangana's Civil Supplies and Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that the state has achieved a record paddy procurement of 147 lakh tonnes (1.47 crore tonnes) in the 2025-26 agriculture year, accounting for 61% of India's total paddy procurement. The minister criticized opposition parties BRS and BJP for spreading misinformation and creating hurdles for farmers. He noted that despite the central government reducing lifting of custom milled rice and ignoring requests to enhance procurement limits, the state managed the record through its own budget allocation of ₹6,650 crore and bank borrowings of ₹16,649 crore. A total of ₹35,077 crore was credited to 25.2 lakh farmers' bank accounts. The state operated 8,575 procurement centers during the Rabi season and used 20.86 crore gunny sacks. The minister contrasted this with the COVID-affected 2020-21 year when procurement was 141 lakh tonnes.
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Telangana is poised to set a new record in paddy procurement, with total purchases expected to exceed 75 lakh metric tonnes, surpassing last year's 74.2 lakh MT during the Rabi season. Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to resolve bottlenecks on a war footing, especially in five districts where arrivals continue. He emphasized completing procurement before monsoon disruptions and ordered better welfare measures for hamalis (workers), including increased rates, priority housing under the Indiramma Gruhaalu scheme, and insurance coverage for accidents and unforeseen incidents. The state has 170 supply control points with around 3,000 hamalis and sweepers. The Minister also instructed expedited movement and storage of Custom Milled Rice to ensure smooth fresh arrivals.
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Telangana Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy declared the state's paddy procurement operation a huge success, having procured nearly 64 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy through 8,575 centres and directly transferring ₹11,500 crore to 9.31 lakh farmers. However, he criticized the central government for agreeing to purchase only about 51 LMT of the 75 LMT Telangana is ready to supply, forcing the state to bear a heavy financial burden. Reddy visited procurement centres in Suryapet district, reviewed logistics, and assured farmers that even rain-soaked paddy is being purchased at Minimum Support Price (MSP). He noted that payments are now made within 48-72 hours, a significant improvement from past delays. The government has directed deployment of all available lorries to move paddy to mills and reduce pressure on procurement centres.
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Telangana Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that the state has procured 60 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy during the Yasangi 2025-26 season, representing 60% of India's total procurement. He noted that while rice production in Telangana is growing, the central government through the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has agreed to procure only up to 52 LMT, a reduction from previous seasons. The minister criticized the BJP and BRS for spreading misinformation. Paddy cultivation covered 64.36 lakh acres with an estimated production of 141 LMT. The state established 8,575 procurement centers, deployed nearly 13,000 transport vehicles, and mobilized over two lakh personnel. MSP payments of ₹11,050 crore have been credited to farmers' accounts. Following unseasonal rains, 10,214 metric tonnes of rain-soaked paddy were transported to boiled rice mills to protect farmers from losses.
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On May 28, 2026, Telangana Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, along with other ministers, visited paddy procurement centres in Hanmakonda, Warangal, Peddapalli, and Bhongir districts. He announced that 58 lakh tonnes of paddy have been procured so far, with an additional 18 lakh tonnes expected. The government has disbursed nearly ₹11,000 crore directly to farmers' bank accounts. Following unseasonal rains that damaged some grain, the minister assured farmers they would receive Minimum Support Price (MSP) for rain-soaked paddy as per norms. He instructed officials to intensify lifting operations, use all available transport vehicles, and ensure round-the-clock monitoring to prevent further damage and delays before the monsoon onset. The visit underscores the state government's commitment to supporting farmers amid weather-related challenges.
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Telangana Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced on May 27, 2026, that the state government has activated an intensive emergency response to protect and procure all rain-soaked paddy. Unseasonal rains in 17 districts affected nearly 9,214 metric tonnes of paddy at procurement centres, but authorities have shifted 95% of the soaked grain to boiled rice mills. Reddy stated that about 9 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy remains to be procured, with another 8.1 LMT expected from ongoing harvesting in districts like Siddipet, Nagarkurnool, and Jagtial. He ordered lorries used for sand and cement transport to be diverted for paddy transportation. Officials reported total paddy arrivals of 66.75 LMT, with 57 LMT already procured. The government has released ₹10,096 crore directly into the accounts of over 8.14 lakh farmers as Minimum Support Price (MSP) payments. Precautions were also ordered for the upcoming Bakrid holidays to prevent labour and driver shortages.
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