Mon Mar 10 08:42:09 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Rice Farmers Face Procurement Delays Amidst Quality Disputes

**Alappuzha, Kerala – March 10, 2025** – A dispute over paddy quality is delaying rice procurement in Kuttanad, Alappuzha district, causing distress for farmers. Rice mills are demanding significant discounts, citing discolouration, high chaff content, and shrivelled grains in the harvested paddy. This has resulted in tons of paddy remaining uncollected in several areas, including Thayamkary, Changankary, and Nedumudi.

Farmers report that some mills are demanding discounts of up to 2.5 kg per quintal. While mills claim overall paddy quality this season is lower than previous years, farmers argue that high salinity levels in water bodies have negatively impacted yields, exceeding the acceptable 2 ppt limit in several areas.

The Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) confirms that several mills have refused to procure paddy from certain fields due to poor quality. While Supplyco has procured 5,169.95 tonnes of paddy so far, representing 18.7% of the harvested area, the standoff threatens to disrupt the upcoming large-scale harvesting, with around 350 polders scheduled for harvesting in March and another 150 in April. Supplyco estimates a total procurement of 1,28,357.94 tonnes from Alappuzha district during the ‘puncha’ season. The situation highlights a growing tension between farmers and mills, as the peak harvesting season approaches.

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