Adilabad Jowar Stocks Rot in Warehouses, Unfit for Human Consumption

Adilabad: Accumulated stocks of jowar in Adilabad district have deteriorated due to prolonged storage, with officials stating that large quantities are no longer fit for human consumption.

Sources said the stored produce developed fungal growth and was damaged while lying in godowns, leading to stockpiling issues. The Telangana State Markfed has been unable to clear the stocks over the past two years, resulting in financial losses to the state.

Agriculture experts suggested that the damaged grain could be diverted for poultry feed production, as it is unsuitable for consumption. However, traders have shown little interest in procuring the old stocks due to poor quality, further impacting prices. In the current rabi season, jowar has been cultivated over 1.10 lakh acres in the district, with an estimated yield of 20 lakh quintals. While the Centre has fixed the minimum support price at Rs 3,699 per quintal, private traders are offering around Rs 2,400.

Markfed district manager Mahesh Kumar said the government has directed procurement of up to 10 quintals per acre from each farmer. He added that storage constraints persist, as godowns remain occupied with old stocks, affecting the handling of fresh arrivals.