Mon Dec 16 13:21:09 UTC 2024: ## Alappuzha Farmers Await Paddy Payment Despite Record Procurement
**Alappuzha, Kerala, December 16, 2024** – The Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) has completed the majority of its paddy procurement for the second crop season in Alappuzha district, acquiring 37,614.81 tonnes from farmers. This represents a significant effort, despite a decrease in overall cultivated area from previous years.
While 95% of the 8,822.49 hectares of paddy fields have been harvested, farmers are expressing concerns over delayed payments. Supplyco has purchased paddy worth ₹106.07 crore, at a rate of ₹28.20 per kg, but disbursement to farmers has been slow, with many still awaiting their funds despite lists being submitted to banks in November.
The unchanged procurement price for the 2024-25 season is also a source of frustration. Although the central government increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) by ₹1.17, the state government offset this increase by reducing its incentive bonus, maintaining the overall price at ₹28.20 per kg – a price unchanged since 2022-23. Farmers are also entitled to 12 paise per kg as handling charges.
Cyriac Jose, secretary of Vadakara Edassery Varabinakam Padasekharam, highlighted the payment delays, stating that only a few farmers in his polder have received payment thus far. He expressed hope that the outstanding amounts would be disbursed soon.
The reduction in paddy cultivation, down from approximately 15,000 hectares in 2018 to the current 8,822.49 hectares, is attributed to climate change and weak outer bunds. Meanwhile, the first crop season is currently underway in Kuttanad and other parts of Alappuzha.
First Piper 