MAXIMUM PADDY PURCHASED FROM PUNJAB: CENTRE

NEW DELHI: The government’s paddy procurement at the minimum support price (MSP) has risen 28.55% in less than a month as compared to the same period last year. The maximum grain purchase has been made from Punjab, according to the Union food ministry.

Paddy procurement commenced in Punjab and Haryana from September 26 due to early arrival of the crop, while in other states, it started from October 1. More than 80% of the country’s paddy crop is grown in the kharif season. The government through Food Corporation of India ( FCI) and state agencies undertakes procurement of paddy at MSP.

“Paddy procurement in the 2020- 21 kharif marketing season is continuing smoothly in the procuring states of Punjab, Haryana, UP, TN, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, J&K and Kerala,” the ministry said in a statement.

Till October 21, about 116.66 lakh tonne of paddy was procured, up 28.55 per cent from 90.76 lakh tonne in the yearago period, it said.

“Out of the total purchase of 116.66 lakh tonnes, Punjab alone has contributed 75.11 lakh tonne, which is 64.38 per cent of total procurement,” the minister noted.

Paddy has been procured from 10.09 lakh farmers at the MSP value of ₹22,026.26 crore, it added.

For the current year, the Centre has fixed the MSP of paddy ( common grade) at ₹1,868 per quintal, while that of A-grade variety has been fixed at ₹ 1,888 per quintal.

In case of cotton, stateowned Cotton Corporation of India ( CCI) has procured 2,72,136 bales at an MSP value of ₹ 76,821 lakh from 53,181 farmers till October 21.