In view of the hot summer there is a severe shortage of local hamalis (daily wage labourers) at the IKP-run paddy procurement centres in Nalgonda, forcing authorities to hire migrants from Bihar and UP for the work.
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL
Procurement of Rabi paddy for the 2025-26 season is continuing at a brisk pace across Telangana despite farmers in several parts raising issues over procurement delay and unseasonal rains damaging the produce.
But the State government is reporting significant progress in both procurement volumes and farmer payments. According to official figures, as of May 18, 2026, the State has procured 40.03 lakh metric tonnes of paddy through 8,575 procurement centres established across Telangana. So far, payments amounting to ₹6,462.73 crore have been credited to farmers for the procured grain.
Officials stated that this year recorded the highest number of procurement centres ever set up during any Rabi season. While 6,609 centres were established in 2021-22, the number increased to 7,037 in 2022-23, 7,178 in 2023-24 and 8,378 in 2024-25. This year, the government further expanded the network to 8,575 centres.
The procurement figures for the current season have also surpassed several previous Rabi seasons. Compared to the 2021-22 Rabi season under the previous government, procurement this year is significantly higher. By May 18, 2021-22, only 21.79 lakh metric tonnes were procured, whereas this year procurement reached 40.03 lakh metric tonnes, an increase of 18.24 lakh metric tonnes.
Similarly, procurement during the 2022-23 Rabi season as of May 18 was 30.40 lakh metric tonnes, which is lesser by 9.63 lakh metric tonnes compared to now. In the 2023-24 Rabi season, by May 18, procurement stood at 36.01 lakh metric tonnes, which is 4.02 lakh metric tonnes lesser compared to this year.
Although the 2024-25 Rabi season recorded 54.18 lakh metric tonnes of procurement by May 18, officials pointed out that procurement operations for the current season are still under way and are expected to cross the figure.
Published – May 18, 2026 08:08 pm IST
