Union government team members collect and inspect paddy samples to assess moisture content at the direct procurement centre near Alakkudi, Thanjavur, on October 26.
| Photo Credit: VENGADESH. R
The story so far: Sensing the growing discomfort among farmers of the Cauvery delta in Tamil Nadu about reports of damage to paddy at many places, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, on October 19, requested the Union government to relax the permissible moisture content for paddy procurement from 17% to 22%. Subsequently, the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has formed three teams to assess the situation.
What led to the present problem?
The problem, per se, is not new to the Cauvery delta, regarded as the rice bowl of south India. Some of the causes include increasing dependence of farmers on the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) for selling their produce, reluctance of private traders to buy paddy harvested during the Kuruvai season in view of higher moisture content, inadequate number of Direct Purchase Centres (DPCs), and a lack of storage infrastructure. This year’s bumper harvest has worsened the situation. Against the normal coverage of around four lakh acres, more than six lakh acres were brought under paddy cultivation. With Cauvery water being available in abundance, sections of farmers, who had burnt their fingers by going for cotton that got damaged during rains, began raising the paddy late. Normally, the crop gets harvested by the end of September. But this year, the operation is still on. Rains have aggravated the problem, making higher moisture content inevitable.
What has the Union government done?
Under the decentralised procurement scheme of the Union Ministry, State governments procure paddy and wheat on behalf of the Centre, in addition to storing and distributing the grain in line with the Centre’s policies. The Union government meets the cost of procurement, apart from monitoring the quality of foodgrain procured. Farmers are paid the Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed by the Centre. Besides, some States including Tamil Nadu pay incentive to farmers. Since the procurement is done as per the norms of the Centre, State governments have to comply with those specifications. Generally, the allowed moisture content is up to 17%, which is measured through moisture metres, available at DPCs, railheads, godowns, and modern rice mills. The Centre can relax the norms, if any State asks for it, citing factors beyond their control. In the past, the Centre has waived stipulations for Andhra Pradesh and Punjab.
Going by the Central Foodgrains portal, nearly 10.4 lakh tonnes were procured from all over Tamil Nadu up to October 24 through 1,855 DPCs. Over 1.2 lakh farmers were paid ₹2,519 crore towards MSP. The estimated quantity of paddy to be procured for the season is nearly 24 lakh tonnes.
What is the political anxiety?
The Cauvery delta accounts for two-thirds of paddy procured by the TNCSC annually. On an average in the last five years, at least 40 lakh tonnes were obtained from farmers all over the State. Last year, it was about 48 lakh tonnes. Politically, the region, which elects 41 of the 234 MLAs, has been a traditional bastion of the DMK. Therefore, the ruling party is anxious to ensure hassle-free paddy procurement.
What is the way forward?
Besides strengthening the storage infrastructure, the State government should ensure proper coordination among all stakeholders, including farmers and the Railways, which play a key role in moving paddy from DPCs to storage points or hulling units. In a consultative manner, the authorities should identify sites for temporary DPCs, apart from making materials available for preserving the procured paddy. The government should also contemplate opening up the system of procurement to rope in farmers producers’ organisations, just as it permitted co-operative societies to operate DPCs in non-delta areas.
Published – October 27, 2025 08:30 am IST
