UP procures around 4 lakh MT of paddy this kharif season so far

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has procured around 4 lakh Metric Tonne (MT) of paddy at MSP from more than fifty-four thousand farmers till now in 2021-22 Kharif marketing season.

Addressing a high-level meeting with the officials on Sunday, Chief Minister gave instructions "In order to ensure smooth purchase of the crop, all the key officers including ADMs, SDMs, Tehsildars should conduct an on-site inspection of the purchase centres every day. Nodal officers posted at district level should ensure that the procurement is done through a transparent process."

The needs of the farmers should be fully taken care of. Any kind of negligence will not be accepted, he added.

Commissioner, Food and Civil Supplies, Saurabh Babu informed that the process of paddy procurement was being conducted smoothly in the state. "The agencies have so far procured 3.66 lakh MT of paddy worth Rs 711.90 Crore from farmers," he said.

According to official statistics, state government agencies and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) procured the food grain from more than 54,609 farmers.

A total of 4020 procurement centres had been set up across the 75 districts in the state to facilitate direct purchase from farmers.

He also assured that proper arrangements have been made to protect the crop from any unfavourable weather conditions. On the lines of wheat purchase, the procurement is being done through the PFMS portal.

To ensure smooth and hassle-free procurement of paddy during the current Kharif marketing season (KMS), the purchase centres have been set up near the fields of the farmers.

This season the paddy is being purchased at an increased MSP which has been fixed- Rs 1,940 per quintal for common paddy and Rs 1,960 per quintal of Grade A paddy.