District agriculture officials said that TNCSC would open more DPCs in the district as farmers at regular agri grievances day meetings had sought a total of 75 such facilities. “However, we are willing to open even more provided farmers supply their paddy to us in the current season,” an official said.With a target of procuring 1.50 lakh tonnes of paddy from Ranipet district farmers in the current harvest season, the TN Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) has opened 33 direct procurement centres (DPCs) in the district, but various hassles are forcing farmers to lose up to Rs 200 per 40 kilo bag.Sources said that due to such problems and loss many farmers have started moving towards private traders.District agriculture officials said that TNCSC would open more DPCs in the district as farmers at regular agri grievances day meetings had sought a total of 75 such facilities. “However, we are willing to open even more provided farmers supply their paddy to us in the current season,” an official said.
Farmers, who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity, said, “though DPCs rates are higher than those offered by private traders we do not face any hassles with the latter as they are more than willing to take paddy stocks from farms directly while payment is given on the spot in cash. Whereas in DPCs payments take a week to reach our accounts.”