NALGONDA: With the government procurement of paddy underway, farmers highlight a new kind of issue. Despite toiling relentlessly to grow and harvest the crops, the tillers say they are being exploited — sometimes by the transporters, the staff at purchase centres or even the millers.
Though the process is extremely arduous, it is critical for paddy farmers, who put in their sweat, blood and almost their entire life savings apart from borrowed money to cultivate one batch, sources said. At this time, the wastage of grains can affect their livelihood and even drive some to attempt suicide.
At Indira Kranthi Patham (IKP) centres, for instance, one kilogram of paddy per 40-kg bag is deemed waste, resulting in direct losses for farmers, the sources added. Additionally, hamalis (labourers) take 20 kg of paddy for every six quintals as payment for their services, and lorry drivers charge `2 per bag. Farmers are forced to oversee every step, from weighing their produce to ensuring its delivery at the mills, even though the government provides free transportation facilities.
