What happened
Tamil Nadu's Food Minister P. Venkataramanan said on 21 October that paddy collection may reach five lakh tonnes by the end of December, up from 3.6 lakh tonnes gathered since September.
Why it matters
A fuller buffer and fresh storage in Pudukottai let the state hold ration-shop supplies steady even as samba output slipped about 20 per cent.
Remember this
Tamil Nadu is padding its paddy buffer before the year ends.
More context & who is affected
Tamil Nadu is expected to collect about five lakh tonnes of paddy by the end of December, said Food Minister P. Venkataramanan on 21 October. Intake since September stands at roughly 3.6 lakh tonnes, against 7.6 lakh tonnes for the same window in 2025-26.
The minister called the gap manageable: samba output dropped about 20 per cent this season, yet the state's stocks are enough to cover present requirements.
Two new godowns at Thulaiyanur and Konnaiyur add 2,500 tonnes of storage in Pudukottai at a cost of Rs 4.35 crore, supporting the collection drive.
- Target by year-end
- 5 lakh tonnes Paddy Tamil Nadu expects to collect before December 2026 ends, per Food Minister P. Venkataramanan.The Hindu
- Collected since September
- 3.60 lakh tonnes Paddy already procured since September 2026, against 7.6 lakh tonnes for the same window in 2025-26.The Hindu
- New storage added
- 2,500 tonnes Combined capacity of two new Pudukottai paddy godowns (Thulaiyanur 1,500 t, Konnaiyur 1,000 t) built at Rs 4.35 crore.The Hindu
Why the push matters
The minister has framed the intake as drought preparedness. DT Next's earlier report quotes him saying an eight lakh tonne collection would leave the state ready if El Niño-driven scarcity arrives.
Aud Policy Watchers
A higher paddy intake and fresh storage capacity widen the state's grain buffer against a possible El Niño-driven shortfall.
Aud Tn Residents
Adequate stocks let the state keep subsidised grocery kits and fine rice moving at fixed prices in ration shops and cooperative societies.
Aud Farmers
The new Thulaiyanur and Konnaiyur godowns let the state absorb more paddy locally, easing pressure on growers to sell off-season.
Reporting fromThe Hindu ↗DT Next ↗
Sources & verification2 sources · 4 claims
These are the records behind this briefing. Linked reporting is not the same as independent confirmation.
- The HinduReporting
Paddy procurement may touch 5 lakh tonnes by December, says Food Minister ↗
Published Oct 21, 2026 · Accessed Oct 21, 2026 - DT NextReporting
Tamil Nadu aims to procure 8 lakh tonnes of paddy to avert scarcity amid El Niño threat ↗
Published Oct 20, 2026 · Accessed Oct 21, 2026
Claims and linked sources
On 21 October, Tamil Nadu's Food Minister P. Venkataramanan said the state may collect five lakh tonnes of paddy before December ends.
About 3.60 lakh tonnes of paddy had already been procured since September, against 7.6 lakh tonnes over the same window in 2025-26.
Samba paddy output fell roughly 20 per cent this season, but the minister said existing stocks were sufficient to meet requirements.
On 20 October the minister framed the exercise as drought preparedness, saying an eight lakh tonne intake would protect against scarcity if El Niño bites.
