Abundant water aside, uncertainty looms large over Rabi in Telangana

Delay in decision over taking up alternative crops, lack of preparedness to cost dear

The issue revolving around paddy procurement has completely overshadowed an otherwise promising agriculture year (2021-22) that has a good first half — kharif season — in terms of area covered and production in spite of excess rains having adverse impact on some of the major crops, mainly cotton and pulses.

As the major political parties kept blaming each other on the State government’s decision advising farmers not to cultivate paddy this rabi season unless they have any tie-up with rice millers, traders and seed companies or for own consumption, the farming community is left in the lurch with the uncertainty reigning supreme over taking up other crops, particularly from the point of view of their marketing.

The Opposition Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been accusing the State government of sleeping over the issue of parboiled rice produced in rabi season although the Centre has made its mind clear about not procuring parboiled rice, only which is produced mostly in Telangana in rabi, in August itself. The State government on its part has started reacting on it only from the November first week seriously.