Fine variety paddy commands good price

Fine paddy varieties such as Vijaya and Swarna Masuri are earning maximum average rates for farmers in Warangal district during the current agricultural year.

Though, the arrivals in major markets like AMC Warangal have been less than expected, the rate index in the market is somehow optimistic and the year's average is recorded at Rs 801 per quintal throughout the season. This average is against the Rs 711 and Rs 719 per quintal during 2004-2005 and 2003-2004 respectively.

Vijaya and Swarna Masuri yield in the district was around 2 lakh quintals last year. Station Ghanpur, considered to be the 'rice bowl' of the district, could produce only 25,000 quintals of fine paddy during the year. The fine variety paddy yield was on the decline in 2004-2005 when drought raged through the entire region.

The yield of coarse varieties during 2004-2005 was almost the same as the fine variety recording 1.8 lakh quintals across the district.

The fine variety paddy rates index during the past three years has been fluctuating and in 2003-2004, it stood at Rs 719. About 1,51,122 quintals as against a total yield of 3 lakh quintals arrived at the Warangal market during this period.

The coarse variety produce was only1.25 lakh quintals during this period. Of this, about 95,305 quintals paddy was purchased in the market by traders and the Food Corporation of India.

Rice Millers Association president Mechineni Sampath Rao told Business Standard that the produce during the current year might surpass the previous year output if the arrival rate in the district market was any indication.

"In the Warangal market alone, the arrivals till January 30 were recorded at 1,10,398 quintals and almost the similar quantity of paddy was purchased in Parakal, Ghanpur, Jangaon, Mahabubabad and Kesamudram markets," he said. In July 2005, the average rate index touched the peak at Rs 901, according to him.

However, the coarse paddy variety seems to be on the decline during the current year in Warangal. Till January, the arrivals in the Warangal market were just 59,090 quintals. The rate of this variety too is unimpressive at Rs 577 per quintal.

Market authorities in Warangal say that the discouraging trends on the farm sector are proving impediments to the paddy produce in the district.

"Though the rains recorded in almost all the 51 revenue mandals was above average, the produce is unlikely to surpass the 4.25 lakh quintal mark of 2003-2004 during which period the district produced about Rs 25 crore worth of paddy of fine and coarse varieties and Warangal market purchased Rs 14.91 crore worth of paddy," market authorities said.

During 2004-2005, the value of the paddy produced was around Rs 22 crore, while in 2005-2006 it is likely to touch Rs 24 crore by the end of the season.