Hyderabad: The Telangana government is planning a network of modern grain silos to help paddy farmers avoid distress sales, reduce post-harvest losses and secure better prices for their produce.
Civil supplies minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, who reviewed the proposals at the Secretariat on Saturday, said inadequate scientific storage facilities were forcing farmers to sell their harvest immediately, sometimes within 24 hours, irrespective of market conditions.
The proposed silos would provide scientific drying and storage facilities, enabling farmers to preserve their produce and sell it when prices become favourable.
Officials presented two models for developing the storage infrastructure.
Under the first, the Telangana State Civil Supplies Corporation (TSCSC) would establish silos directly by raising loans from reputed financial institutions.
The second model envisages private investment in silo facilities at around 20 locations across the state in the initial phase.
The corporation would provide rental guarantees to make the investments financially viable.
Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to finalise the proposals expeditiously, detailing their financial implications, funding arrangements and rental commitments.
The minister said farmers cultivating premium paddy varieties were unable to realise their full value because of inadequate storage facilities.
Freshly harvested paddy generally contained around 25 per cent moisture, making safe storage difficult, he said.
According to the minister, premium paddy with around 25 per cent moisture fetched ₹3,500 to ₹4,500 per quintal.
After scientific drying to around 12 per cent moisture, the same variety could command ₹5,000 to ₹5,500 per quintal.
The proposed facilities are expected to help farmers preserve grain quality and reduce pressure to sell immediately after harvesting.
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