‘Model’ wheat procurement centre to woo farmers

As per the plan, the proposed centre will have modern amenities to weigh and package wheat procured from farmers. The centre will be equipped with electronic machines, assembly unit and storage and transportation facility.

To increase the procurement of wheat from farmers, the district administration of Shahjahanpur is set to develop the first model procurement centre of the region. The proposed centre is to be developed in Yakupur village under Roza tehsil.

In absence of proper centres, wheat is procured on open ground. (HT File Photo)

The village was chosen for the centre because of its closeness to Powayan and Khutar tehsils, which along with Roza, are the highest producers of wheat in the region.

As per the plan, the proposed centre will have modern amenities to weigh and package wheat procured from farmers. The centre will be equipped with electronic machines, assembly unit and storage and transportation facility.

“The centre will be modernised on the directions of the procurement secretary,”said district magistrate of Shahjahanpur Narendra Singh, who held a meeting with officials to discuss the plan. “I have advised the procurement officials to submit a budget estimate by Wednesday so that the requirement procurement can be completed next week,” the DM added.

Apart from the new machines, the centre will also have a waiting shed for farmers, a functional canteen to serve refreshments and fresh water in earthen pots. The farmers will be offered jaggery as they wait for their turn. Two CCTV cameras will keep an eye on everyone and everything.

“The rate of purchase has not been good so far but we hope that the new centre will boost it,” asserted the DM. “If the model works, we aim to develop at least one such centre in each of the six tehsils of the district,” he added.