India, Nov. 6 -- Reena Kumari, a paddy farmer in Uttar Pradesh's Badaun district, has harvested less than half her usual crop this season. But even the paddy she managed to save from October's untimely rain and storms has yet to bring her much-needed income, as traders delay purchases.

Kumari, who cultivates paddy on around five acres, normally harvests about 25 quintals. This season, her produce has fallen to 10-12 quintals, she said. She estimates that cultivating the crop cost her Rs.40,000-50,000.

"We normally get around 20-25 quintals. This time, because of the rains and storms, the paddy crop fell over. The crop was standing in the fields in October when the storm hit," she said.

Traders are holding back purchases due to high pre...