Following untimely rains that damaged the crop and dealers who exploited the agricultural community, the Telangana government has decided to purchase maize produced this Rabi (Yasangi) season at a minimum support price of Rs 1,962 per quintal.
In turn, the Agriculture Minister urged the authorities to take steps to create purchasing facilities, primarily in the combined districts of Warangal, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, and Khammam, where the crop is grown on a significant scale. According to Agriculture Department authorities, maize is being grown on over 6.48 lakh acres this season, with a production estimate of 17.37 lakh tonnes.
So far, untimely rains and hailstorms have harmed the standing crop, primarily in the harvesting and pre-harvesting stages, including stocks carried to market yards. The agriculture agency projected damage in over 1,29,500 acres during the first spell of untimely showers on March 16, with more than 33% damage/loss in nearly 90,000 acres.
The State Government has issued instructions for crop loss payment at Rs 10,000 per acre, as announced by the Chief Minister during his crop loss investigation.
Crop damage/loss in lateral spells of unexpected rain, including the current episode, has yet to be determined. Earlier this week, the Chief Minister directed the Chief Secretary to analyze crop damage in order to pay compensation/input loss at the previously announced cost of Rs 10,000 per acre.
According to Agricultural Marketing Department officials, the produce that was brought to markets on Thursday commanded prices ranging from Rs 1,582 per quintal to Rs 2,174 per quintal in various markets.
