Government procurement of 85.41 lakh tonnes of paddy in Punjab till November 2

05-Nov-2024 04:50 PM

New Delhi. Data from the Union Food Ministry shows that in the current Kharif marketing season, from October 1 to November 2, 2024, a total of about 90.69 lakh tonnes of paddy arrived in the mandis of Punjab,

out of which 85.41 lakh tonnes were procured by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and provincial agencies and its total value at the minimum support price (MSP) was Rs 19,800 crore. After initial hesitation and delay, now the procurement of paddy has started in full swing there.

According to official figures, about 4 lakh farmers in Punjab have been paid the support price of paddy. Due to heavy rains in September and high moisture content in paddy,

the pace of Kharif in October was very slow in the initial weeks, but after the weather cleared and the problems of rice millers were resolved, the procurement process is now back on track.

The Central Government has set a target of purchasing 185 lakh tonnes of paddy in Punjab during the current Kharif marketing season which is equivalent to 124 lakh tonnes of rice. Out of this, 85.41 lakh tonnes have been purchased till November 2.

This means that the target will be achieved only if 100 lakh tonnes of additional paddy is purchased in the next 28 days because the deadline for purchasing paddy in Punjab has been set till November 30. However, the government has indicated that this deadline can be extended if required.

The minimum support price (MSP) of paddy has been fixed this time at Rs 2300 per quintal for the general category and Rs 2320 per quintal for 'A' grade.

Paddy is being purchased in 2927 identified mandis and temporary premises in Punjab. 4640 rice millers of the state have applied for milling (shelling) of paddy and the state government has already allotted paddy to 4132 millers out of these.