Large quantities of paddy remain stranded at procurement centres across Rajnandgaon district; officials race against time ahead of monsoon season
Published on: May 24, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
The delay in lifting paddy procured at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) has emerged as a serious administrative concern in Rajnandgaon district. Nearly four months after the procurement season ended, thousands of quintals of paddy continue to remain stored in the open at several procurement centres and cooperative societies.
With temperatures remaining high and the monsoon season approaching, concerns are increasing over the risk of paddy drying out, losing weight, or being damaged by adverse weather conditions.
Slow Lifting Despite Multiple Review Meetings
According to available information, the district administration has held several review meetings regarding paddy lifting and transportation. However, the situation has reportedly not improved to a satisfactory level.
Sources indicate that nearly a dozen procurement societies in the district have been assigned targets to complete paddy lifting by the end of May. However, considering the current pace of transportation, achieving this target is being viewed as a significant challenge.
More Than 66,000 Quintals Await Transportation
Data available from procurement centres suggest that over 66,000 quintals of paddy are still awaiting transportation from various societies and procurement centres across the district.
Officials and committee representatives estimate that prolonged exposure to heat may already have resulted in a drying loss of nearly 5,000 quintals.
The prolonged storage of paddy in open conditions has raised concerns about both quantity and quality losses if immediate action is not taken.
Several Procurement Centres Face Serious Backlog
Some procurement centres are reportedly facing particularly critical situations.
Among them:
- Ghumka Procurement Centre: approximately 2,400 quintals pending
- Kalar Procurement Centre: approximately 2,500 quintals pending
- Significant quantities also remain at Mohad, Charbhatha, Jhadi Sharif, and Jhadikhedi centres
Sources indicate that transportation of the remaining stock would require more than 1.5 lakh gunny bags, highlighting the scale of the pending operation.
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Committees Warn of Financial Losses
Representatives of procurement societies have expressed concern that continuous exposure to extreme heat is reducing the weight of stored paddy, potentially leading to substantial financial losses.
They have warned that if lifting is not completed before the arrival of monsoon rains, both the paddy stock and storage materials such as gunny bags could suffer serious damage.
According to local estimates, any large-scale deterioration of stock could result in losses worth several crores of rupees.
Questions Raised Over Procurement and Transportation System
The delay has also sparked fresh questions regarding the efficiency of post-procurement operations, particularly transportation and stock movement mechanisms.
Farmers and committee members argue that while procurement is completed on schedule, delays in transportation create bottlenecks that affect the entire system. They contend that timely lifting is essential to protect both public resources and agricultural produce.
Debate Revives Over Procurement Management
The issue has also revived broader discussions surrounding paddy procurement management in Chhattisgarh.
Observers note that paddy procurement in the state is not merely an agricultural exercise but a large-scale system involving transportation, storage, and custom milling operations worth hundreds of crores of rupees.
Some local stakeholders have recalled earlier debates regarding custom milling payments and the role of procurement agencies in ensuring timely movement of paddy stocks. With substantial quantities of paddy once again remaining stranded at procurement centres, discussions about the efficiency and accountability of the procurement chain have resurfaced.
As the monsoon season draws closer, farmers, cooperative societies, and local stakeholders are now looking toward the administration for urgent intervention to prevent potential losses and ensure the timely transportation of the remaining stock.
