Srikakulam: Farmers worried due to discoloration of paddy

Srikakulam: Farmers are worried about the sale of their discolored rice. Kharif paddy crop has been ruined in many divisions of the district due to unseasonal rains and cyclone Michong. But the concerned authorities have not given any assurance to the farmers regarding the purchase of blighted produce. Paddy was damaged in Ponduru, Srikakulam Rural, Amadalavalasa, Burja, G Sigadam, Echerla, Gara, Narasannapeta, Jalumuru, Polaki, Pathapatnam, Sarubujjili and many other mandals of the district due to cyclonic and unseasonal rains in the first week of December. The rice crop reached the harvesting stage. During the cyclone, officials advised farmers not to harvest crops, but rain and winds caused rice plants to fall to the ground and become submerged in water. Mill owners are ready to pay only half of the fixed minimum support price (MSP) to buy discolored rice. The MSP of paddy rice per quintal is Rs 2,183 for common variety and Rs 2,203 for good variety. For discolored rice, millers are willing to pay Rs 1,000 per quintal. K Srinivas, district manager of AP State Civil Supplies Corporation, said the government has not issued any guidelines on procurement of blanched rice from farmers and it is up to the farmers to negotiate with the respective rice mill owners to dispose of their produce at a fair price. Is.