Govt’s Kharif paddy procurement tops 5.73 lakh tonnes in one week
05 Oct 2020
Central agencies have so far procured 5,73,339 tonnes of paddy from 41,084 farmers during the ongoing kharif marketing season 2020-21, at a total MSP purchase price of Rs1,082.464 crore.
The procurement of kharif paddy is progressing smoothly for the last one week from states, especially Punjab and Haryana, an official statement said on Saturday.
With the latest procurement data, the government aims to send a message to the farm lobby protesting against new farm laws that it has no intention of scrapping procurement at the minimum support price.
Opposition-led groups in Punjab and Haryana and some other states are protesting against the new farm laws, which they allege will lead to direct procurement by corporates and the end of MSP regime.
Paddy procurement is progressing smoothly and has commenced so far in three states namely Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. “The pace of paddy procurement is going to pick up in a week’s time,” the ministry said.
For the current year, the government has fixed the MSP of paddy (common grade) at Rs1,868 per quintal, while for A grade variety, it has been fixed at Rs1,888 per quintal.
Cotton procurement for Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 on MSP has also started fom 1 October. As on 3 October 2020, Cotton Corporation of India has procured a cumulative 147 bales under MSP of a value of Rs40.80 lakh, from 29 farmers.
There was no MSP purchase of cotton on October 2 being a National Holiday and there was no arrival in the market yards, it added.