Paddy procurement chaos deepens in Palakkad

Paddy farmers’ concerns over the government’s plan to procure the grain through cooperative societies remain unresolved in the district, even as Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) has begun procurement in the western parts of Palakkad district.

Inaugurating the anniversary of the Nel Karshaka Samrakshana Samiti at Kollengode on Sunday, Power Minister K. Krishnankutty said the issues would be resolved soon and that a final decision would be taken on Monday. K. Babu, MLA, backed the assurance.

Farmers, however, say there is confusion. “No cooperative society has been authorised to pay them, and Supplyco has not issued paddy receipt sheets (PRS) to those from whom it has already procured grain in western Palakkad,” said Pandiyodu Prabhakaran, general secretary of the Desiya Karshaka Samrakshana Samiti.

Though the government announced that procurement in Palakkad would be routed through cooperative societies on a pilot basis this year, thus eliminating the need for PRS-based loans, no formal orders have been issued. Cooperative banks say they have not been instructed to release payments.

About 10 per cent of the district’s paddy has been harvested from areas like Pattambi, Thrithala, Ottapalam, Kannambra and Alathur, where cultivation starts early due to limited canal irrigation. Harvesting in the rest of Palakkad is expected within two weeks.

In Kappur panchayat, where Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh launched procurement on February 20, farmers have protested a government cap of 1,700 kg per acre, compared with 2,200 kg elsewhere in the State.

“We cannot accept this disparity. If the 1,700 kg limit is enforced, farmers must be compensated,” said Moideen Liyaqat, president of the Kappur Padasekhara Samiti Coordination Committee.

Alimon Annikkara, the committee’s secretary, said delays are worsening farmers’ hardship. With payments pending and PRS not issued within the promised 48 hours, middlemen are exploiting the uncertainty, pressuring farmers to part with one to three per cent of their produce. “The delay is complicating matters and increasing anxiety among farmers,” he said.