Farmers across Kallakurichi district have urged the authorities to improve infrastructure at Direct Paddy Procurement Centres (DPCs) by providing proper covered roofing and modern storage facilities to protect harvested paddy from unexpected rainfall. The demand comes after repeated instances of grain spoilage caused by sudden showers during the procurement season, resulting in financial losses for farmers who depend on these centres to sell their produce.
According to the farming community, many procurement centres currently lack adequate roofed platforms and weatherproof storage arrangements. As a result, harvested paddy brought to the centres often remains exposed in open areas while awaiting quality inspection, weighing, and procurement. During periods of unseasonal rain, large quantities of paddy become wet, reducing grain quality and increasing the risk of moisture damage, fungal growth, and post-harvest losses.
Farmers have pointed out that they invest considerable time, labour, and financial resources in cultivating paddy throughout the season. Damage occurring at the procurement stage due to inadequate infrastructure not only lowers the quality of the produce but can also lead to delayed procurement, price reductions, or rejection of grain that exceeds permissible moisture levels. They believe that providing permanent covered sheds would significantly reduce these avoidable losses and improve the efficiency of procurement operations.
Another major demand raised by farmers is the establishment of a dedicated paddy drying yard in Vilambar village. At present, cultivators often face difficulties in drying freshly harvested paddy before transporting it to procurement centres. During the monsoon and periods of high humidity, the absence of a proper drying facility affects grain quality and delays the procurement process.
A scientifically designed drying yard would provide farmers with a clean, level, and well-drained surface where paddy can be dried safely to the required moisture content before sale. Such a facility would help improve grain quality, reduce post-harvest losses, minimize contamination, and ensure that farmers receive better prices for their produce. It would also make the procurement process more efficient by enabling quicker quality inspections and reducing waiting times at procurement centres.
Farmer representatives have submitted petitions requesting the government to prioritize infrastructure improvements at procurement centres, particularly in major paddy-growing regions. They have also suggested additional facilities such as proper drainage systems, storage warehouses, electronic weighing equipment, drinking water, waiting areas, and improved road connectivity to enhance the overall functioning of procurement centres.
Agricultural experts note that strengthening post-harvest infrastructure is as important as improving agricultural production. Modern procurement facilities not only protect farmers from weather-related losses but also help preserve grain quality, improve food security, and ensure smoother procurement operations. Investments in covered storage, drying yards, and efficient logistics can significantly increase the overall efficiency of the agricultural marketing system.
Officials from the Agriculture and Civil Supplies Departments have acknowledged the concerns raised by farmers and stated that the requests for covered roofing facilities and a dedicated drying yard at Vilambar village would be examined as part of future infrastructure development plans. They emphasized that improving procurement infrastructure remains an important priority for supporting the farming community and reducing post-harvest losses.
The demand for better infrastructure highlights the need for continued investment in agricultural support systems across Kallakurichi district. Farmers remain hopeful that the construction of covered procurement sheds and modern drying facilities will help safeguard their harvests, improve procurement efficiency, reduce financial losses, and strengthen the overall agricultural economy of the region.