Officials expect 7 lakh tonnes paddy yield in Srikakulam district

Srikakulam: More than 7 lakh metric tonnes of paddy yield is expected from across the district during current kharif season. Paddy is being cultivated in an extent of more than 6 lakh acres in the district. As per the officials’ estimation, the total paddy produce is being predicted as more than 7 lakh metric tonnes.

To procure the produce, civil supplies, district rural development agency (DRDA), integrated tribal development authority (ITDA), agricultural market committees (AMC) will procure paddy from farmers through paddy purchasing centres (PPCs) every year. This time civil supplies officials have planned to arrange 122 PPCs across the district to procure paddy from farmers.

Paddy crop harvesting works were already started in Narasannapeta, Kotabommali, Tekkali, Palasa, Santhabommali, Etcherla, Ponduru, Amudalavalasa and other mandals. Paddy crop was harvested in 10 per cent extent of its cultivated area across the district so far. To prevent involvement of middlemen and traders in procurement of paddy, PPCs need to be set up soon and officials have also initiated steps to start procurement.

“We are going to arrange 122 PPCs across the district in all mandals to procure the paddy locally,” district manager (DM) for civil supplies V Mohan Babu told The Hans India. “This time we are going to adopt GPS technology in procurement, transportation of paddy to rice mills to prevent irregularities,” the DM added.