MADURAI: With paddy procurement through Direct Purchase Centres (DPCs) being carried out in a phased manner in Madurai, a total of 17,000 metric tonnes of paddy has been procured in the district so far. Official sources said the total procurement during this Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) season is likely to cross last year's procurement statistics, and advised the farmers to sell their paddy at DPCs.
According to sources, in spite of pest attacks and incidents of crop loss reported in a few areas, the timely rainfall coupled with Vaigai water aided the farmers to successfully complete the Samba paddy cultivation season in Madurai. It may be noted that over 40,000 hectares of land has been used for paddy cultivation in Madurai district. As the harvesting, which began in January, is picking up pace, DPCs across the district are receiving a decent amount of paddy this year, in comparison with the previous year.
Speaking about procurement, a senior official from the civil supplies department in Madurai said, "The district collector had issued an order for opening around 117 DPCs, and as many as 77 have been opened in Madurai so far. The remaining ones will be opened as the harvest season proceeds in the district. Among the 77 DPCs, about 72 are actively receiving paddy. As of now, about 17,960 metric tonnes of paddy has been procured during the Samba season here."
"Paddy procurement is likely to be conducted till April, as many farmers had begun cultivation works late this year. As there is a lack of workers for operating DPCs in the district, the department has deputed adequate workers from other regions to Madurai to carry out the procurement process," the official said.
Official sources further said that during the previous KMS season (October-September), a total of 53,000 metric tonnes of paddy was procured in Madurai. However, during this KMS season (2024- 25), about 13,000 metric tonnes was procured during the first crop season and about 17,000 tonnes was procured during the Samba season. This year's KMS procurement is likely to cross last year's statistics as more farmers are showing interest towards selling paddy at DPCs, they added.
Meanwhile, farmers requested the department to open additional DPCs, since farmers in several interior parts have to bear additional expenses for transporting the paddy to nearby villages for selling it at DPCs. Speaking to TNIE, M Ravi, a farmer from Madurai said the prices of varieties like RNR, Deluxe, and Ponni have notably reduced in the open market, affecting farmers this season.