HYDERABAD: The state is all set to achieve a record 148.3 lakh tonnes of paddy production this Kharif season — the highest ever in the country’s history by any state.
Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy announced this on Tuesday. At a review meeting, the minister said that the expansion of irrigation facilities has contributed to the record paddy output.
Paddy was cultivated in 67.57 lakh acres, of which 40.75 lakh acres were of fine variety (sannalu) and 26.82 lakh acres of coarse variety (doddu paddy). The government expects 90.46 lakh tonnes of fine variety and 57.84 lakh tonnes of coarse variety, totalling 148.3 lakh tonnes. Of this, the government is prepared to procure 80 lakh tonnes, the minister said.
He credited farmers for achieving the record production, stating, “The record paddy production reflects the state government’s efforts.” No other state in the country has achieved such a milestone so far, he said, adding that the government’s policies have helped double paddy production in a short span of time.