What’s behind Telangana govt’s Pro-AP decision?

Farmers in Telangana region are more interested to sell their produce to Andhra Pradesh millers than the local ones since AP millers have been paying more money as the Minimum Support Price in AP is more than that offered by Telangana government. Millers from Krishna, Guntur, East and West Godavari districts were purchasing heavily in north Telangana districts, particularly in Nizamabad district.

It is estimated that AP millers have already bought around 1 lakh metric tonne from farmers of the estimated 5 lakh metric tonne yield in kharif season from Nizamabad district. Surprisingly Telangana government had instructed officials not to seize the lorries to Andhra Pradesh as the local farmers are getting benefited.

Also the demand of paddy in AP millers is more than that of their Telangana counterparts since AP millers have an opportunity to export the rice to foreign countries through ports. The AP government has permitted rice millers to export 5 lakh metric tonnes rice to foreign countries. But the supply did not begin in AP since paddy arrivals only begin there in December. So, AP millers are lining up to Telangana State to procure paddy, as it has been harvested early, compared to AP.