Vijayawada: The state government is preparing to procure 51 lakh metric tonnes of paddy this season, civil supplies and consumer affairs minister Nadendla Manohar said on Saturday. He stated that payments are being credited to farmers’ bank accounts within 24 hours of procurement.

Reviewing the paddy purchase operations with civil supplies officials at Civil Supplies Corporation office here, the minister said the initiative is being taken up under the direction of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. He said the government aims to ensure smooth procurement and eliminate procedural hurdles for farmers.

Manohar said the state is committed to buying every grain brought to procurement centres and giving farmers the assurance and recognition they deserve for their work. He described this season’s procurement drive as one of the most extensive ever undertaken in the state.

The minister said the NDA coalition government will stand by farmers throughout the process and emphasised that the primary target remains the procurement of 51 lakh metric tonnes of paddy. He noted that 11 lakh metric tonnes have already been purchased and Rs 2,300 crore has been transferred to farmers’ accounts so far.

Urging farmers not to rely on middlemen, he said the government is paying a support price of Rs 1,792 for a 75-kg bag and warned that middlemen are attempting to mislead farmers with false claims. He added that the government is advancing procurement timelines to minimise risks caused by erratic weather and to ensure farmers are not forced to sell at distressed rates.

Manohar said tarpaulin sheets are being supplied through Rythu Seva Kendras to protect harvested paddy from rain. He appealed to farmers to stay cautious of misinformation and to sell their produce at government procurement centres at the official support price.