Farmers in Tamil Nadu’s delta districts have expressed frustration over the state government’s handling of paddy procurement, after several sacks of harvested rice reportedly sprouted due to unseasonal rains. The issue has sparked political controversy following statements by the DMK government’s Agriculture Minister MRK Panneerselvam.
During a recent media interaction at the Chennai Secretariat, Minister Panneerselvam addressed concerns over sprouted paddy, attributing the problem to natural causes and the logistics of procurement. He noted that during the previous AIADMK regime, large piles of paddy also sprouted after heavy rains, but “now they have sprouted only slightly,” implying the complaints were exaggerated.
The minister further explained that procurement centres are limited in capacity, both in terms of storage space and manpower. “If we want to purchase 2,000 bundles of paddy per day, we need more staff and adequate space,” he said. Officials also cited logistical challenges in handling the sudden influx of harvested rice from rural areas.
However, the minister’s remarks were criticized for their dismissive tone. Opposition leaders pointed out that procurement of 2,000–3,000 bundles per day has been successfully carried out in previous seasons, raising questions about the government’s current efficiency.
Farmers in Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts reported that sprouted rice could lead to reduced market value and potential wastage and called for immediate intervention to prevent losses. Several women farmers personally brought samples of sprouted paddy to political leaders, only to be reassured that “not all the rice has sprouted” and that procurement was ongoing.
The opposition has accused the minister of being disconnected from field realities, relying solely on reports from officials rather than visiting the affected districts. They argue that farmers standing in the fields, facing losses to their livelihoods, deserved more concrete action and engagement rather than remarks dismissing minor sprouting.
The paddy procurement issue comes at a time when Tamil Nadu has faced heavy rainfall, causing concern for delta district farmers dependent on timely collection and storage of their crops. As the debate continues, both political leaders and agricultural officials are under pressure to ensure that the harvested paddy does not go to waste.
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