600 more centers will be opened in Madhya Pradesh for the procurement of Kharif crops: Shivraj Singh

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan reviewed the arrangements being made in connection with the purchase of paddy and other crops in the state. In the meeting, the Agriculture and Food Department was directed that necessary arrangements should be made for the purchase at the convenience of the farmers.

Registration process is going on for sale of kharif crops by farmers in the state. It was informed in the meeting that detailed instructions are being issued regarding the purchase of paddy in the state. Special arrangements will be made in paddy growing districts. The meeting discussed in detail the purchase of paddy, payment of funds to farmers and storage of acquired paddy.

Chief Minister Chouhan directed that in view of the arrival of paddy, jowar and bajra in the mandis of the state, more than last year, procurement should be started soon. According to the dates set earlier, the starting date of paddy harvesting should be 25 November and that of jowar and bajra should be purchased in place of November 15 and beforehand. Chief Minister Chouhan said that it should be ensured that farmers do not have any problem in procurement work. It was informed in the meeting that in Gwalior and Chambal divisions where fine variety of paddy 1509 is sown, it should also be purchased and farmers should be benefited from the support price.

Chief Minister Chouhan directed that 600 centers should be opened in Kharif procurement so that farmers can sell the produce at support price with ease. This will increase the number of centers to 1500. Currently there are about 900 centers. By October 9, farmers of 5.96 lakh paddy, 10 thousand jowar and 29 thousand 416 millets have registered in the state. Similarly, 54 thousand 926 cotton farmers have been registered. It is more than the previous year. The last date of registration is 15 October.

Agriculture Minister Kamal Patel, Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains, Agriculture Production Commissioner K.K. Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Manish Rastogi, Principal Secretary Food Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, M.D. Markfed P. Narhari, Commissioner Public Relations Dr. Sudam Khade and other officials were present.