Millers Offer Above MSP For Bondalu Paddy

Konaseema is known for cultivation of the Bondalu variety, which is mainly used for preparation of boiled rice and supplied to Kerala markets. Farmers said the variety generally fetched better prices than other paddy varieties, though prices had declined sharply over the past three years, leaving many unable to realise even the MSP.

However, over the past four days, millers and mediators have begun offering prices higher than the MSP. Farmers said the price initially increased by ₹20 per 75-kg bag above MSP and reached ₹1,800 per bag on Friday against the MSP of ₹1,777.

Farmer Y. Rambabu from Pedapudi mandal said that when paddy was sold through Rythu Seva Kendras, farmers received ₹1,777, but nearly ₹100 was deducted towards various charges. In contrast, millers and mediators were now directly offering ₹1,800 in cash without deductions or delay in payment.

He said many farmers were holding back their produce expecting prices to rise further, with some hoping rates could touch ₹2,200 per bag in the coming days.

Rambabu said millers and mediators had purchased Bondalu paddy at rates between ₹1,550 and ₹1,600 around 10 days ago. Farmers, after assessing their production costs, had sold their produce at those rates instead of supplying it through Rythu Seva Kendras.

Farmers now hope that a further rise in prices would help them recover losses suffered in recent years.