Thu Dec 12 15:48:08 UTC 2024: **Andhra Pradesh Farmers Protest Alleged Exploitation Amidst Paddy Procurement Issues**
SRIKAKULAM, Andhra Pradesh – YSR Congress Party MLC Duvvada Srinivas has accused middlemen of exploiting farmers in Srikakulam district due to what he claims are flawed paddy procurement policies by the NDA government. Srinivas alleges that the government’s limit of five lakh tonnes of paddy procurement falls drastically short of the district’s projected ten lakh tonne yield. He claims middlemen are offering farmers ₹1,440 per 80kg bag of paddy, significantly less than the expected ₹1,840, potentially leaving farmers unable to recoup their investment. He further criticized Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu for failing to address farmer grievances regarding full procurement through Rythu Bharosa Kendras. A protest led by YSRCP Srikakulam district president Dharmana Krishnadas is planned for Friday to highlight these farmer concerns.
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