Chhattisgarh MSP scheme for paddy a big draw, record procurement this year

A record number of 95.38 per cent of the total registered paddy farmers have sold paddy crop under MSP.

Published on: Feb 2, 2021, 09:00:38 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Chhattisgarh has set a record of procuring more than 92 lakh metric tonnes of paddy under the minimum support price (MSP) scheme during the Kharif marketing year 2020-21 amid the backdrop of farmers' agitation at Delhi borders against farm laws and demand for a guaranteed MSP.

As per officials, out of 21,52475 farmers, 20,53483 have sold their paddy this year, which is the highest in the last 20 years. (ANI Photo )

A record number of 95.38 per cent of the total registered paddy farmers have sold paddy crop under MSP. As per officials, out of 21,52475 farmers, 20,53483 have sold their paddy this year, which is the highest in the last 20 years. The procurement that began in December last ended on January 31.

“Chhattisgarh has created a new record of purchasing more than 92 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in the year 2020-21, which is the highest since the state was formed,” a press release issued by the government stated.

In the year 2017-18, 56.88 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was procured in the state, whereas in the year 2018-19, 80.83 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was purchased and in the year 2019-20, 83.94 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was procured.

It is worth mentioning that last week Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel wrote a letter to Union consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister Piyush Goyal and urged him to raise the permitted amount of 24 lakh metric tons of rice to be procured under the central pool in FCI to 40 lakh metric tons in the Kharif marketing year 2020-21 as soon as possible.

The CM stated that in the Kharif marketing season in Chhattisgarh, the paddy was procured at the minimum support price (MSP) from the farmers as per the MoU with the food department, government of India, under the decentralized procurement scheme for the procurement of paddy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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