THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Cooperative department is planning to procure paddy from farmers and supply Kerala-brand rice to the market to support the paddy farmers. For this, a rice mill will be set up on ten acres of land purchased at Kidangoor in Kottayam district. The native variety of rice, which will compete with private brands, will be launched in the market next year. Paddy will be procured and processed from all districts except Palakkad. Kerala paddy procurement processing and marketing co-operative Society (KAPCOS) under the cooperative department will be in charge.

At present, Supplyco procures paddy from farmers and gives it to private mills for processing. The farmers' anger against the government is raging as they have not yet received the money for the paddy procured by Supplyco. Supplyco is also in a crisis as the government is not releasing the money. In this situation, the cooperative department's paddy procurement will benefit the farmers.

If the crisis in paddy procurement continues, paddy will be procured from farmers through primary cooperatives from the September harvest onwards. This paddy will be supplied to private mills till the new mill is started. Supplyco procures paddy through agricultural offices.

More than eight lakh tons of paddy were stored annually. Last year it decreased to 6.4 lakh tonnes.

Sorrow of farmers

1. Many people grow crops by taking loans. Debt increases due to delays in payment for paddy.
2. Supplyco collects paddy at Rs 28.20. Private mills will not pay as much.
3. The increased cost of production and unexpected crop losses.

Current problem

1. Government has no rice storage facility
2. Farmers are not paid on time
3. Farmers are withdrawing from paddy cultivation

"The new plan is to permanently solve the problems of farmers."

- VN Vasavan, Minister for Cooperation