Farmers in Ankleshwar and Hansot rejoice as paddy fetches good prices

Happiness is being observed among farmers in the Ankleshwar and Hansot regions due to the procurement of good prices for paddy. Farmers have commenced the process of drying their paddy crop, which they consider equivalent to raw gold, on the roads. This exercise has been undertaken by farmers to remove moisture from the paddy brought in after harvesting from the fields.

On the main road stretching approximately 8 to 10 km from Rohid to Pandwai in Hansot, farmers are spreading paddy to dry it in the sun. Farmers state that if the paddy contains approximately 15 per cent moisture, it fetches a lower price in the market. Therefore, to properly prepare the paddy for sale, farmers are drying it in the sun.

According to farmers, this practice of drying paddy on the road has been observed for many years. In earlier times, the proportion of paddy cultivation was lower, and facilities such as 'khali' (threshing floors) were available in villages for drying paddy. Due to this facility, the need to dry paddy on the road was less in the past.

According to farmers, they are receiving a good benefit in paddy prices this year compared to last year. Paddy, which was sold at a rate of Rs. 450 per maund last year, is being sold at rates ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 520 per maund this year. However, despite the increase in prices, farmers are stating that paddy production has decreased this year.

On the other hand, interest assistance of ₹174 crore has been approved by the Gujarat government for 10 lakh farmers, a report which was provided by The Times of India (Ahmedabad).