Farmers spread a freshly harvested paddy field under the sun in Palakkad. Harvest is in full swing in several parts of the district and farmers are making the most of the favorable weather to dry and prepare grain for purchase. | Photo credit: KK Mustafah
Paddy farmers’ concerns over the government’s plan to procure the grain through cooperative societies remain unresolved in the district even as the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) has started procurement in the western parts of Palakkad district.
Inaugurating the anniversary of the Nel Karshaka Samrakshana Samiti in Kollengode on Sunday, Power Minister K. Krishnankutty said that the issues would be resolved soon and that a final decision would be taken on Monday. K. Babu, MLA, seconded this assurance.
But farmers say there is confusion. “No cooperative society was authorized to pay them and Supplyco did not issue paddy receipts (PRS) to those from whom it had already procured grain in West Palakkad,” said Pandiyodu Prabhakaran, general secretary of Desiya Karshaka Samrakshana Samiti.
Although the government has announced that procurement in Palakkad will be piloted through cooperative societies this year, eliminating the need for PRS-based loans, no formal orders have been issued. Co-operative banks say they have not been instructed to release payments.
About 10 percent of the district’s rice has been harvested from areas like Pattambi, Thrithala, Ottapalam, Kannambra and Alathur, where cultivation begins early due to limited canal irrigation. The harvest in the rest of Palakkad is expected within two weeks.
In Kappur panchayat, where Excise Minister MB Rajesh launched the procurement on February 20, farmers protested against the government’s cap of 1,700 kg per acre compared to 2,200 kg elsewhere in the state.
“We cannot accept this disparity. If the 1,700 kg limit is enforced, farmers must be compensated,” said Moideen Liyaqat, president of the Kappur Padasekhara Samiti coordination committee.
Alimon Annikkara, secretary of the committee, said the delays were compounding the plight of farmers. With pending payments and non-issue of PRS within the promised 48 hours, middlemen are taking advantage of the uncertainty and pressuring farmers to give up one to three percent of their produce. “The delay complicates the situation and increases anxiety among farmers,” he said.
Published – 1 March 2026 21:07 IST
