Farmers raise concerns over paddy procurement through coop. societies

Paddy farmers in the district have expressed apprehension over the government’s decision to channel paddy procurement through cooperative societies rather than Supplyco for the upcoming second crop season.

They argue that cooperative societies lack both the expertise to manage large-scale procurement efficiently and the ability to pay farmers within two days of collection.

When paddy procurement began in Kerala in 2003, cooperative societies were responsible for the process. However, after procuring three crops, five cooperative banks approached the High Court, seeking to end procurement through the societies. The appeal was led by K. Krishnankutty, then president of the Perumatty Service Cooperative Bank and now the Minister for Power.

Supplyco took over paddy procurement in 2005 and has managed the process ever since. “The government is now attempting to revive a failed experiment by entrusting cooperative societies with paddy procurement,” said Pandiyodu Prabhakaran, general secretary of the Desiya Karshaka Samrakshana Samiti (DKSS).

“Attempting to repeat a twice-failed experiment is ill-advised. Cooperative societies lack the necessary facilities for procurement and may end up relying on private rice mills, which could lead to corruption and complications,” warned Mr. Prabhakaran. He added that involving cooperative societies would, in effect, be deceiving the farmers.

Harvesting of the second paddy crop is about to begin in the western regions of Palakkad district, where irrigation does not rely on dam water. In the eastern regions, which depend on dam water for irrigation, the second crop is expected to be harvested in February.

Desiya Karshaka Samajam (DKS) president Muthalamthodu Mani also urged the government to abandon its plan to procure paddy through cooperative societies, citing two previous failures. “The societies do not have mills or godowns, so it is unlikely they will be able to manage paddy procurement,” said Mr. Mani.

The DKS has demanded that the government announce its procurement plans without delay to prevent confusion and uncertainty among farmers. It warned that postponing the procurement would not only cause significant losses to farmers but also foster opportunities for corruption.

Meanwhile, the dispute over the percentage of rice to be extracted from paddy remains unresolved. While the Central government mandates 66% rice from the paddy procured from farmers, rice mills in Kerala insist on 63.5%

The disagreement has escalated into a Centre-State stand-off, with the Centre withholding approximately Rs.1,300 crore, citing the State’s failure to provide complete procurement accounts.