After the formation of the state of Chhattisgarh, the state has set a record of highest paddy procurement this year. In the Kharif marketing year 2019-20, about 83 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been procured till today evening on the last day of procurement at support price and paddy procurement is likely to continue till late night. In comparison to last year, Two lakh fifty thousand more farmers have sold paddy in the state. 85 lakh MT paddy procurement has been estimated in the state. About 80 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was purchased in the state at the support price last year.
More than 14 thousand 500 crore rupees of paddy procurement in the state this year has been paid directly to the farmers in their bank accounts, Fourth token has also been issued to farmers in committees and 3.5 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been purchased on the fourth token. Last year, in 2018-19, a total of 15 lakh 71 thousand farmers had sold paddy, while this year till date, 18 lakh 45 thousand farmers sold paddy.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel, it was decided by the state government to purchase paddy from the farmers of the state from December 1 to February 15 at the rate of Rs 2500 per quintal. As a result of more farmers registering this year, the period of selling paddy was increased by 5 days till 20 February. Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel reached out to the procurement centers himself , discussed with the farmers and took stock of the arrangement at paddy procurement centers. He also said that farmers should not have any problem in procurement centres. Chief Minister had also instructed to make arrangements for basic needs such as clean drinking water, sanitation and other basic facilities for farmers in paddy procurement centers. On the instruction of the Chief Minister, a state-level help line number was started for the convenience of farmers. Help was also provided through the police departments help line number 112.
A ministerial sub-committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Agriculture minister Shri Ravindra Chaubey to provide the difference amount to the farmers due to the imperative of purchasing paddy at the support price fixed by the Government of India. The committee will study the bonus given to farmers in other states and submit its report to the government.
