Raipur: In yet another significant achievement, the paddy procurement at support price in Chhattisgarh crossed 75 lakh metric tonnes mark on Wednesday, while the process will still continue till January 31 next year. A target has been set to procure 110 lakh metric tonnes of paddy this year.
Despite the increase in the number of registered farmers to 24.95 lakh 95 thousand, the state government has achieved this huge achievement in a short span of time. In the year 2017-18, only 56.88 lakh metric tonnes of paddy could be procured from 12.06 lakh farmers. Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has congratulated the farmers of the state on this achievement.
Chhattisgarh is setting a new record every year for the paddy procurement at support price. The number of registered farmers, paddy area and productivity is increasing significantly as compared to the year 2017. This is the result of the consistent efforts being made by the state government to streamline the paddy procurement process keeping in view the convenience of farmers. The number of paddy procurement centers have increased to 2614.
Besides, speedy lifting if paddy has been ensured by removing the shortcomings in the process of custom milling. Apart from this, rapid initiative has been taken to open new branches of banks in the rural areas of the state, so that the farmers can get the benefit of all the schemes of the government, including the purchase of paddy at support price.
Nearly 2.27 lakh new farmers have registered this year for selling paddy.
The total registered area of paddy has increased to 32.8 lakh hectares. Yesterday, till December 28, 15 thousand 582 crore 51 lakh rupees had been issued by Markfed to Apex Bank for payment to farmers in lieu of paddy purchased. Till yesterday, DO had been issued for lifting 59 lakh 82 thousand 017 metric tonnes of paddy, while 48 lakh 63 thousand 515 metric tonnes of paddy had been lifted so far. Simplifying the process of issuing tokens, the state has started an online token facility through a mobile app this time. A total of 20,51,882 tokens have been issued till yesterday. Of these, 4,07,129 tokens were issued through the app.
In the year 2018-19, the state government had procured 80.37 lakh metric tonnes of paddy. Then the farmers were paid a bonus at the rate of Rs 750 per quintal along with the support price. After this, while starting the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, provision was made for input subsidy on crops in addition to the support price given to the farmers. 84 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was procured in the year 2019-20, 92 lakh metric tonnes in the year 2020-21 and 98 lakh metric tonnes in 2021-22. In the year 2019, 18.43 lakh, 20.59 lakh in the year 2020 and 26.21 lakh farmers had sold their paddy in 2021. After the implementation of Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, there has been a continuous increase in the number of farmers, paddy area and paddy production in the state.
