Parboiled Rice Procurement: Big Boost For Andhra Pradesh’s Rice Sector

In a significant development related to Andhra Pradesh’s rice sector, the Central govt. has recently granted approval for the procurement of Parboiled rice in the state for the first time. This information was recently shared by the state civil supplies minister, Nadendla Manohar. He stated: ”For the first time, Andhra Pradesh has received approval from the centre to procure parboiled rice, allowing the state to procure nearly 200,000 metric tonnes during the ongoing Rabi season”. Manohar called this decision by the central government for the welfare of rice farmers. Also, the Minister cited that the move would provide some relief to farmers, since the government aims to procure a record 7 million metric tonnes of paddy this year.

Payments for Parboiled rice procurement credited to Farmers

He visited Ramavarappadu and Gollapudi in the NTR district to inspect procurement operations and reviewed the moisture testing procedures at the Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs). At the same time, he interacted with farmers and examined the transportation and storage arrangements. During his visit, he informed the farmers that payments for the procured paddy of Parboiled rice are being credited to their bank accounts within a timeframe ranging from 30 minutes to 17 hours.

Andhra Pradesh-Major rice producing state

During his inspection, the Minister took cognisance of issues such as excessive moisture in the paddy and the poor quality of gunny bags. At the same time, he instructed officials to ensure an adequate supply of lorries and gunny bags. Notably, Andhra Pradesh is a major rice-producing state in India. The state's annual rice production typically ranges between 7 million and 9 million tonnes. The list of major paddy-producing districts in Andhra Pradesh includes West Godavari, Krishna, Srikakulam, Kakinada, and Nellore. Not only this, Andhra Pradesh is also referred to as the ‘Rice Bowl’ of India. Rice is the primary food crop cultivated across the state, providing livelihood and sustenance for the growing population, fodder for livestock, and employment opportunities for the rural populace.

Parboiled rice called usna chawal

Significantly, Andhra Pradesh accounts for 10–15% of India's total rice exports, with parboiled rice contributing 20–30% to this figure. Notably, parboiled rice, also referred to as 'usna chawal' which is prepared by soaking paddy in water, steaming it, and then drying it before the husk is removed. This process facilitates the absorption of nutrients deep into the grain. It makes the rice more nutritious, firmer, and less sticky compared to regular white rice. India is a major exporter of parboiled rice. In the current year 2026, India remains the world's largest exporter of both parboiled rice and total rice, with its total rice exports exceeding 20 million metric tons in the 2024–25 period.