The Andhra Pradesh government has agreed in principle to facilitate supply of 72,000 quintals of ‘Jaya’ variety of rice to Kerala through the AP State Civil Supplies Corporation (APSCSC).
The State government has also assured to procure from farmers the rice variety if an MoU was reached between the APSCSC and the KSCSC in this regard.
Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishnamurthy, Civil Supplies Minister P. Pulla Rao, Kerala Civil Supplies Minister P. Thilothaman, and officials of both the corporations discussed the issue on Thursday.
Demand and price
Mr. Thilothaman said there was demand for 6,500 tonnes of Jaya rice variety every month.
The rice was available for ₹35 per kg through e-tenders. The Government of Kerala was expecting a price less than that. It would procure 72,000 quintals per annum. The payment would be made in two days of supply of rice, he said.
Mr. Pulla Rao said it was not possible to supply the rice at ₹35 a kg.
The price would be fixed based on the prevailing market rate. Also, a long-term agreement was necessary, he said. The government would supply chilli too, Mr. Pulla Rao said.
Mr. Krishnamurthy said the farmers of the State would stand to gain.