KC(M) to push for legislation against middlemen in paddy procurement

As disputes between farmers and millers threaten to derail the paddy procurement process in Kuttanad, the Kerala Congress (M) has urged the State government to intervene and prevent millers and their agents from disrupting the process by demanding excessive concessions.

In a statement, KC(M) chairman Jose K. Mani accused agents of unilaterally deciding concession rates for paddy procurement and mistreating farmers. “The extreme summer heat, combined with the looming threat of intense summer rains, creates a challenging environment for farmers. Storing harvested rice in open fields is impractical, and mounting pressure from banks to recover loans further adds to their distress. Exploiting this vulnerability, certain millers and agents are entering the polders to procure paddy at unfair profit margins. The involvement of middlemen, who lack any licenses, certifications, or technical expertise, has plunged paddy farmers into crisis,” noted Mr. Mani.

He further assured that the KC(M) would push for legislation to exclude agents and middlemen from the paddy procurement process and raise the matter with the Left Democratic Front.