The paddy farmers of Upper Kuttanad are in trouble as the rice mills have not been procuring paddy rice from them citing poor quality of the grain. Over 40 tonnes of paddy rice is lying accumulated in various places, including Kumarakom and Vechur panchayats in Vaikom and Pulinkunnu, Thakazhy, Kavalam, Edat-hua and Punnapra in Alappuzha district. The Supplyco which procures the rice from 29 mills in Alappuzha district and 18 in Kottayam has to pay arrears of Rs 18 crore and Rs 12 lakh respectively to the farmers in the two districts.