The Minister said Telangana has contributed a whopping 141 lakh tonnes of paddy for procurement.
Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday urged the rice milling industry to adopt latest technology and machinery to become the country’s number one rice milling industry.
Inaugurating the 16th International Rice and Grains Tech Expo 2024 at Hitex Exhibition Centre on Friday, Uttam Kumar Reddy assured full support to the rice millers to turn Telangana into the number one State in rice milling and production of quality rice. He outlined the government’s strategy to promote the rice milling industry, focusing on technology upgrades for better energy efficiency and higher-quality rice production.
The Minister emphasised his deep connection with the rice milling community, having represented Kodad and Huzurnagar as MLA six times and as an MP from Nalgonda once. “Your problems are known to me,” he said, pledging his commitment to address them. He recognised rice milling as a major industry in rural Telangana, employing 2 to 3 lakh skilled and unskilled workers, and promised the government’s encouragement and transparency in resolving their issues.
He highlighted the significance of the expo in helping rice mills adopt advanced technology. “The quality of rice produced can be significantly improved with better technology and less energy consumption,” he noted.
Recalling his long association with key rice milling centres like Huzurnagar, Kodad, Miryalaguda, and Suryapet, he reaffirmed his duty as a public representative and minister to support these areas. He assured that issues such as milling charges and transport charges would be handled proactively to ensure justice for all stakeholders.
Addressing the allocation of Custom Milled Rice (CMR) and paddy, he urged the miller to adhere to government-prescribed systems. He assured support to the millers in securing export permissions from the Central government for rice varieties produced in Telangana. He also highlighted the government’s dual role in benefiting farmers and millers while ensuring consumers receive rice at reasonable prices.
He said Telangana has the second-highest share in paddy procurement. It has contributed a whopping 141 lakh tonnes of paddy for procurement. Telangana will likely retain its title as the ‘Rice Bowl of India’ with an unprecedented production of about 1.7 crore tonnes during the ensuing Vaanakalam. Telangana is estimated to witness a quantum jump of nearly 22 lakh tonnes from 1.48 crore tonnes during the last Vaanakalam. Telangana is already number one in the rice milling capacity.
