Amid farmers’ protests against the three farm laws from nine months, the procurement of paddy has soared to an all-time high, a record seen with wheat as well. As per the Agriculture Ministry data, the Government agencies have procured of 889.62 lakh metric tons of paddy (includes Kharif Crop 718.09 LMT and Rabi Crop 171.53 LMT), so far against the last year corresponding purchase of 764.39 lakh metric tons.
The record procurement of paddy has benefitted about 130.47 Lakh farmers this year despite hundreds of farmers protesting against the farm laws and demanding the Government take back the three laws. The data released by the Ministry showed that during the ongoing procurement, `1,67,960.77 crore paid to the farmers.
“For the cropping year 2020-21 which includes Kharif 2020-21, Rabi 2021 and Summer 2021 seasons, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 11,99,713.15 MT of Pulses and Oilseeds having MSP value of `6,742.51Crores benefitting 7,02,368 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, Odisha and Rajasthan upto September 05, this year,” the ministry said in a statement.
It further added that based on the proposal received from Karnataka State, approval was accorded for procurement of 40,000 MT of Pulses under Price Support Scheme (PSS).
