Kerala, AP Discuss Rice Trade As State Unveils Subsidised Sale Plan
AP announced to sell quality rice at subsidised prices through Rythu Bazaars and special counters from August 1.
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh and Kerala on Thursday agreed to strengthen cooperation in paddy procurement and rice trade, with Kerala civil supplies minister Anoop Jacob holding talks with his AP counterpart Nadendla Manohar.
This, while AP announced a major initiative to sell quality rice at subsidised prices through Rythu Bazaars and special counters from August 1.
Speaking after a review meeting with rice millers and later with the Kerala minister, Manohar said quality rice would be sold through 130 Rythu Bazaars and around 500 special counters across the state under government supervision to curb soaring prices and provide relief to consumers.
BPT-KNM Super Fine rice, currently retailing at `62-65 per kg in the open market, will be sold at `52 per kg, while Grade-I raw rice, priced around `58 per kg, will be available at `50 per kg. District rice millers' associations will operate the special counters, while separate counters will also function in Rythu Bazaars.
The minister said the government had acted on public feedback over rising rice prices, attributing the increase to global developments, El Niño-related concerns and higher transportation and operational costs. He said the government remained committed to price stabilisation.
To prevent diversion, rice sales will be linked to Aadhaar or biometric authentication and monitored by the civil supplies department. Rice millers have also agreed to market 10 per cent of their stocks directly through the special counters, eliminating middlemen and ensuring adequate supplies to urban areas and districts with lower paddy production.
Kerala’s minister Jacob appreciated AP’s transparent procurement system, particularly the practice of transferring payments directly into farmers' bank accounts within 24 hours of paddy procurement. He said Kerala would examine adopting a similar model.
The two ministers also discussed expanding rice exports from AP to Kerala through a bilateral arrangement. They exchanged views on AP’s newly launched Mini Marts and Kerala's long-running Supplyco retail network.
Manohar said the state, in partnership with rice millers, would promote "Brand AP" by producing premium-quality rice for domestic and international markets, ensuring better returns for farmers.