Farmers in Telangana await paddy bonus as Kharif season looms

The delay is causing financial strain for over four lakh farmers who sold their fine variety paddy to the Telangana Civil Supplies Corporation, with an estimated Rs.950 crore in bonuses still pending.

Hyderabad: Farmers across Telangana are growing increasingly frustrated as the State government’s promised Rs 500 per quintal bonus for A-grade paddy remains unpaid, even as Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations for the 2024-25 Kharif season are nearing completion. The delay is causing financial strain for over four lakh farmers who sold their fine variety paddy to the Telangana Civil Supplies Corporation, with an estimated Rs.950 crore in bonuses still pending.

The State government had announced the bonus last October to incentivise the cultivation of fine paddy varieties, promising swift payments within 48 hours of procurement. However, farmers in districts such as Mancherial, Karimnagar, Nalgonda and Yadadri Bhongir are on a long wait with some still unpaid since January.

“The delay is forcing us to borrow for Kharif preparations,” said farmer Sekhar Reddy from Miryalaguda.

“The bonus was meant to help us invest in seeds and fertilisers, but now we’re struggling. The procurement has so far been substantial, with 56 lakh metric tonnes of paddy worth Rs.13000 crore already procured. The government promised payments within 48 hours, but the ground reality is different,” he said while demanding immediate action.

Farmers, gearing up for the Kharif season, face additional challenges with delayed Rythu Bharosa payments and unfulfilled loan waivers, adding to their financial woes. Tenant farmers, in particular, are struggling with delays in bonus payments, uncertain about when they will receive the funds. A government official acknowledged that the delay was due to a lack of funds in the State treasury. With the upcoming monsoon season just 15 days away and bonus payments yet to be credited to farmers’ bank accounts, anxiety among farmers is growing. Farmers in districts like Nizamabad, Nalgonda, Narayanpet, Jagtial, Nirmal, Siddipet, Suryapet, and Khammam expanded their fine rice cultivation due to the government’s promise of the bonus of Rs.500 per quintal.

Nizamabad alone recorded 800,000 metric tonnes of procurement, with over 700,000 metric tonnes being fine rice. However, the delay in bonus payments has led to frustration among farmers. With farmers heavily relying on these payments, the delay is causing financial stress. If the issue persists, it could impact fine rice cultivation in the upcoming seasons.