In July 2026, farmers and social activists in Vathirairuppu (Watrap), Virudhunagar district, raised concerns over paddy procured from farmers at a Direct Procurement Centre (DPC) remaining at the centre for more than 20 days without being shifted to government storage facilities. They urged the district administration and procurement authorities to move the stock quickly to prevent further deterioration and possible loss.
What was the issue?
The paddy had already been procured from farmers, but instead of being transported onward to government warehouses, the bags remained stacked at the procurement centre for an extended period.
Farmers and activists said the prolonged storage at the centre was exposing the procured grain to avoidable risks, particularly because the facility was not considered adequate for long-term storage. The reports published on 18–19 July 2026 said the paddy had been lying there for over 20 days.
Damage to paddy bags
One of the major concerns was the condition of some of the gunny bags containing the paddy. Reports said that some bags had become damaged, allowing grain to spill out.
The spilled grain reportedly attracted goats from nearby areas, which further contributed to the loss of the procured stock.
This was particularly concerning because the paddy had already entered the government procurement system and therefore represented produce purchased from farmers using public procurement arrangements.
Risk of rain and weather damage
The longer the paddy remains exposed at an unsuitable procurement centre, the greater the risk of damage from rain and moisture.
This concern was also seen earlier in June at a government paddy procurement centre near Vathirairuppu, where farmers complained that paddy was being exposed to rain and requested faster weighing and handling to prevent damage.
Moisture can affect the quality of stored paddy and may subsequently create problems during transportation, milling and storage.
Security concerns
Farmers also raised concerns about security at night.
According to the July reports, there was inadequate security at the procurement centre, leading farmers to worry that if bags were stolen during the night, identifying those responsible could become difficult.
Thus, the issue was not limited to deterioration of grain. It also involved:
- Storage management
- Protection of procured stocks
- Security of the procurement centre
- Possible wastage of food grain
- Protection of the government’s procurement investment
Why shifting the stock to warehouses matters
Farmers and social activists specifically requested that the procured paddy be shifted from the Direct Procurement Centre to government warehouses.
Government warehouses are intended for safer and more systematic storage of procured agricultural commodities. Moving the stock promptly would help:
- Protect paddy from rain and moisture
- Reduce grain wastage
- Prevent damage to gunny bags
- Reduce exposure to animals
- Improve security
- Ensure proper stock management
- Preserve the quality of grain before further processing
The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation operates Direct Procurement Centres specifically to facilitate the procurement of paddy directly from farmers across the state.
Impact on farmers
Although the paddy had already been procured, farmers remained concerned because damage to government-procured grain ultimately represents a loss of agricultural produce.
Farmers depend on the procurement system not only for a guaranteed buyer but also for efficient handling of their harvested crop. Delays after procurement can undermine confidence in the system, particularly during periods when large quantities of paddy are being brought to procurement centres.