Heavy to moderate rains lashed several parts of the erstwhile Khammam and Warangal districts in the past 24 hours, causing damage to maize and other agricultural produce brought to market yards.

In Warangal, maize that had been brought to the Enumamula Agricultural Market a couple of days ago and left in the yard for drying was soaked by the

sudden rainfall since Sunday night. Farmers struggled to salvage the crop and move it to sheds.

Although the Central and State governments had fixed the minimum support price for maize at Rs 2,400 per quintal, traders and middlemen are reportedly forming a syndicate to purchase the maize at reduced rates of Rs. 1,900 to Rs. 2,000 per quintal.

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