Ranchi: The state government has began procurement of paddy from farmers at the minimum support price (MSP) through 23 centres set up in Ranchi district. The procurement centres in other districts will start operating within a couple of days, state food and civil supplies department said on Tuesday.
Talking to TOI, state food and civil supplies department director Vineet Tirkey said, “Ranchi has officially begun procurement of paddy from Tuesday. The final modalities of setting up procurement centres in the remaining 23 districts are underway. We are starting the process of procurement at least two weeks in advance this year.”
The state government has fixed a target of procuring paddy to the tune of 4.5 lakh metric ton from 1.60 lakh farmers in Jharkhand.
Tirkey said that around 1,42,118 farmers have already enrolled with the department to sell their produce and they are expecting to achieve the targeted number by mid-December. Last year, nearly 1.39 lakh farmers had enrolled for selling paddy. “The number of farmers will increase this year as the enrolment process will be conducted till December 15,” he said.
Around 300 procurement centres are being set up across the state. “Compared to last year, we have increased procurement centres by 20% this time,” Tirkey said. A minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1,868 per quintal for normal paddy and Rs 1,888 per quintal for grade A quality along with an additional bonus of Rs 182 per quintal has been fixed this year. Moreover, as per the arrangement, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) will run procurement centres in Latehar, Chatra and Garhwa districts and the rest will be handled by the state food corporation.
Jharkhand is expecting a bumper kharif harvest this year because of good monsoon and timely sowing.
Sabhir Ahmad, the district supply officer of Ranchi, said that figures of the first day of procurement were still to be compiled. “As per the norms, an sms is sent to every registered farmer asking them to bring their stock to the procurement centres. Once the stock arrives, officials at the centre will have to make an entry of the paddy that is being purchased. The farmer will again receive an sms about successful transaction of the paddy, post which 50% money will be credited to his bank account. The remaining amount will be given later after all other formalities are over,” Ahmad said.