C’garh procures record 92L MT paddy on MSP
The Chhattisgarh government has created a record in paddy procurement. Out of 21.52 lakh farmers, 20.53 lakh have sold 92 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during 202021 on minimum support price (MSP) to the state government.
Compared to the last six years, the percentage of farmers selling paddy in 2020-21 is 95.38 per cent, which is the highest ever since the state was formed, a government statement said on Saturday.
The number of farmers selling paddy on minimum support price, total registered acreage, area of paddy sold, percentage of farmers selling paddy and the total amount of paddy sold have significantly increased in the present government in Chhattisgarh.
It has happened due to the farmer-friendly policies implemented in Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, an official commu
nique said.
Despite adverse circumstances in the state, the government made adequate arrangements for the purchase of paddy. Smooth availability of gunny bags was ensured through several alternative arrangements to overcome the shortage of gunny bags. Payments to farmers were not hampered. During 2015-16, 21.26 lakh hectare of land was registered for paddy procurement and 59 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was procured on MSP. Mean
while, during 2019-20, the registered area expanded to 26.88 lakh hectares and 83 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was purchased.
CM Baghel's historic decision to waive off farmer loans and irrigation tax, and agricultural input assistance of Rs 10,000 per acre under Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana has encouraged the people in returning to agricultural practices. It further boosted the confidence of farmers, the communique said.