6 lakh MT of paddy procured from farmers in Assam

Committed to fulfil promise: CM

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: A total quantity of 5,98,127 metric tonnes (MT) of paddy was procured from farmers in Assam in the Kharif Marketing Season, 2022-23, through different agencies, the state government stated on Thursday.

Since the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government came into power in Assam, it was decided that paddy procurement would be done directly from the farmers through various central and state government agencies. The government took the decision as the agencies procured a low quantity of paddy earlier, due to which the farmers were compelled to sell their produce to middlemen at lower prices.

The money accruing to the farmers from the procurement of their paddy is transferred to their bank accounts through Direct Bank Transfer (DBT). Farmers were paid a minimum support price of Rs 2,040 per quintal. Paddy procurement centres in different districts are used to procure the paddy from the farmers.

After the completion of the paddy procurement recently, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a review meeting in Dispur on Thursday.

The chief minister took to 'X' to say, "Our Govt is committed to fulfill our promise of directly procuring paddy from our farmers to boost their income and ensure timely distribution of food grains to the people through Anna Seva Saptaah…I reviewed the execution of both schemes today with concerned officials."

It should be mentioned here that six agencies were involved in the procurement of paddy from farmers through a large number of procurement centres in different districts. The agency-wise procurement was: FCI: 1,94,266 MT, AFCSCL: 3,48,883 MT, ASAMB: 4,461 MT, NAFED: 38,994 MT, NACOF: 5,614 MT, and NCCF: 5,908 MT.

Also read:    Paddy procurement target decreased in Assam

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