Tamil Nadu’s Paddy Procurement Poised to Hit Record 45 Lakh Tonnes

Speedy Summary

• Tamil Nadu is set to create a record in paddy procurement, nearing 45 lakh tonnes this year.
• Till now, the state has procured 44.49 lakh tonnes; the previous record was 44.95 lakh tonnes (2020-21).
• the current procurement rate of about 15,000 tonnes per day suggests the total may reach around 47 lakh tonnes by the end of this season.
• Cauvery delta districts contributed around two-thirds of total procurement (30 lakh tonnes).
• Farmers received ₹10,734 crore as Minimum support Price (₹6,899 crore paid to ~3.36 lakh farmers in one phase; ₹3,835 crore paid to ~1.95 lakh farmers later).
• State government offers additional subsidies: ₹130/quintal for Grade A paddy and ₹105/quintal for common varieties.
• Better groundwater availability and free electricity have been factors enabling increased production and late-season cultivation.
• Procurement handled primarily by Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation with cooperatives and NCCF supporting residual needs.
• Experts suggest involving Farmer Producers Organisations in procurement processes.

indian Opinion Analysis

Tamil Nadu’s increasing paddy procurement is a significant achievement reflecting agricultural resilience and government support policies such as free electricity for irrigation and MSP payments exceeding ₹10,000 crore this cycle alone. This will likely enhance farmer incomes while strengthening food security within the region.

The data indicates that Cauvery delta districts remain critical contributors to overall production despite fluctuations due to seasonal conditions or water availability each year-highlighting their importance in ongoing policy formulations related to agriculture or infrastructure progress like groundwater management schemes.

Experts’ suggestion regarding Farmer Producers Organisations may offer scope for decentralizing operations further while promoting autonomy among farming communities-an idea worth exploring for long-term supply chain efficiency improvements.

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