Agriculture – Andhra Pradesh Strengthens Farmer Support Through Procurement Reforms
Agriculture – The Andhra Pradesh government has reaffirmed its commitment to the farming community, stating that agricultural welfare remains a central focus of the ruling coalition. Speaking at a media briefing held at the Secretariat on Monday, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar outlined a range of measures introduced over the past two years to improve services for both farmers and consumers. He said the reforms have been designed to streamline operations, increase transparency, and strengthen food security across the state.
Government Highlights Record Paddy Procurement
According to the minister, the state achieved unprecedented procurement levels during the last two years. A total of 1.29 crore metric tonnes of paddy was purchased from nearly 17.97 lakh farmers, with payments amounting to Rs 30,361 crore. He noted that the government also addressed financial liabilities inherited from the previous administration by clearing pending dues worth Rs 1,674 crore.
Manohar said these efforts have provided farmers with greater financial stability while ensuring a smoother procurement process during harvesting seasons. The government’s approach, he added, focuses on reducing delays and improving access to support systems for cultivators across Andhra Pradesh.
Technology Introduced to Simplify Farmer Services
The minister emphasized the growing role of technology in agricultural procurement. One of the key initiatives introduced by the department is a WhatsApp-based scheduling platform that allows farmers to plan paddy sales conveniently. So far, more than 44,000 farmers have used the system.
Through this digital mechanism, over 3.51 lakh metric tonnes of paddy have been transported efficiently to rice mills. Officials believe the platform has reduced administrative hurdles and helped farmers coordinate procurement activities more effectively.
Faster Payments Improve Procurement Experience
A major focus of the reforms has been ensuring timely payments to farmers after procurement. Manohar stated that the government has significantly improved payment processing timelines, helping cultivators receive their dues without unnecessary delays.
He explained that around 94 percent of payments are now credited within 24 hours of procurement, while all remaining payments are completed within 48 hours. The minister described this achievement as an important step toward building trust between farmers and government agencies involved in procurement operations.
Support Measures During Monsoon Season
Apart from procurement reforms, the government has also introduced measures aimed at protecting harvested crops from weather-related damage. The minister said tarpaulins valued at approximately Rs 50 crore were distributed to farmers across the state.
These materials were provided to safeguard harvested paddy from rainfall and moisture during the monsoon period. Officials expect the initiative to reduce post-harvest losses and help farmers preserve crop quality until procurement is completed.
Ration Card Modernisation Enhances Transparency
Highlighting developments in the public distribution system, Manohar said Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in India to introduce ATM-style ration cards equipped with unique QR codes. More than 1.49 crore families have already received these cards.
The new system is intended to improve transparency, simplify verification procedures, and ensure smoother access to welfare benefits. Authorities believe the technology-driven initiative will strengthen service delivery while reducing errors and improving accountability within the distribution network.