VIJAYAWADA: The State government’s move to credit payments within 24 hours has become a major relief measure for farmers, marking a sharp shift towards transparency and efficiency in the Kharif procurement season. In the first ten days alone, the State procured 90,843 metric tonnes of paddy worth Rs 215.62 crore, directly benefiting 11,850 farmers.
To prioritise farmer welfare, the TDP-led NDA government has not only mandated same-day payment but also instructed millers to procure paddy beyond standard rules to support growers during peak harvest. Officials said procurement is progressing briskly across Andhra Pradesh.
For the current Kharif marketing year, the government has set a target of procuring 51 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, a process expected to continue until the end of February. The State has earmarked Rs 12,200 crore for the exercise.
The system is further strengthened through mandatory e-Crop registration, which enables accurate verification and seamless processing of payments. This model stands in stark contrast to past experiences when farmers struggled due to unsold stocks lying on roadsides, delays stretching up to six months, and the complete absence of support systems as middlemen avoided buying.
Since last year, the TDP-led coalition has overhauled procurement norms, ensuring smooth crop purchase and timely settlement of dues. The payment window, which earlier extended to weeks, was reduced to 48–76 hours last season and has now been cut to an unprecedented 24 hours. Farmer Kagitha Krishna from Pedana mandal said the system brought him immense relief. “I cultivated paddy over seven acres (BPT), yielding 2,500 kg per acre.
After harvesting, I sold the produce directly to millers at Machilipatnam and submitted detais. The amount credited to my bank account in 24 hours and it is a great experience."