Adilabad: Procurement of jowar has begun in Adilabad district, providing relief to farmers amid delays and storage constraints.
The state government, through Markfed, is procuring jowar at Rs 3,699 per quintal. Officials said additional procurement centres will be opened in Talamadugu and Bhempur to speed up purchases and clear stocks. Large numbers of farmers have brought produce to the Adilabad market yard due to lack of storage space. With godowns filled with maize, officials directed farmers to stock jowar in open areas, assuring procurement.
Market Committee chairman B. Srikanth Reddy said farmers arriving outside their allotted schedule were adding to pressure on procurement operations and urged them to adhere to designated dates.
Farmers, however, cited delays and storage shortages. Rajender, a farmer from Adilabad mandal, said they were compelled to transport produce to the market due to lack of space and concerns over unseasonal rains damaging stocks.
Farmers said transport costs had increased due to repeated trips caused by procurement delays.
Those who brought produce outside scheduled dates staged a protest at the market yard, demanding immediate procurement of jowar and maize. Ch. Suhasini Reddy and Shivaiah participated in the protest.
Farmers from Kajjarla plan to store around 25,000 quintals of jowar in a function hall in Talamadugu mandal to prevent rain damage.
Officials said alternative storage spaces, including private godowns and function halls, are being explored as government storage facilities remain occupied with maize stocks.
Procurement is currently capped at 10 quintals per acre, while farmers report yields of around 15 quintals per acre and have sought an increase in the procurement limit.
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