Pandalam (Pathanamthitta): Palakkad district has emerged as the frontrunner of paddy production, with a total of 1,78,130.077 tonnes of paddy being procured and stored. Following closely behind is Alappuzha district with 1,53,245.801 tonnes of paddy harvested. The lowest procurement was recorded in Idukki district, amounting to 133.477 tonnes only.

Despite an initially promising yield, the extended period of intense heat waves adversely affected the harvesting process. Farmers have reported an increase in chaff due to these conditions. However, it is reported that the Kuttanadan area of Alappuzha district, which had started the cultivation earlier, has not suffered significant losses.

Increased heat: Reduced paddy weight

Dr N Surendran, Head of the Mankombu Rice Research Center, highlighted that the weight reduction of paddy is due to the intensified heat which caused its early ripening. The unseasonably hot weather at the time of the conversion of milk to paddy grains caused the formation of thicker chaffs as well. Dr Surendran also noted that paddy cultivated earlier were less affected by this issue.