Chhattisgarh breaks last year’s paddy procurement record, 103 lakh metric tonnes of paddy procured so far
Raipur: The mega campaign of paddy procurement going on in Chhattisgarh has broken last years record due to state governments farmer friendly policies which has also resulted in the rise of the number of registered farmers in the state along with increasing the overall area of cultivation in the state. So far, 103 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been purchased on the support price in the state. Last year in 2021-22, 98 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was purchased.
The mega campaign of Paddy procurement will run till 31 January 2023 and this figure is expected to increase significantly. About 22.86 lakh farmers of the state have sold paddy and a payment of Rs 21,237 crore has been given to these farmers by directly transferring the amounts in their bank accounts under the bank linking system.
The government has set a target of purchasing 110 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in the current kharif season. It is estimated that this target will easily be achieved as the frequency of farmers in paddy procurement centers and arrival of paddy. So far, out of the total paddy purchase, DO has been issued for lifting of 88.25 lakh metric tonnes of paddy out of 103 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, against which about 80 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been already lifted by millers.
Food department officials also informed that on January 19, 78.21 thousand metric tonnes of paddy has been purchased from more than 19,000 farmers. About 5 thousand tonnes of paddy has been purchased from farmers through online tokens. Officials said that in this kharif season, normal paddy is being purchased at the rate of Rs 2040 per quintal and grade-A paddy at Rs 2060 per quintal. Moreover, strict monitoring of paddy procurement in the state is being monitored. To prevent illegal transportation of paddy from the border states, the goods carriers are also being checked at the check posts.
