The Uttar Pradesh state cabinet has approved the policy for procurement of maize under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme for the Kharif marketing season 2025-26. The MSP for maize has been fixed at Rs 2,400 per quintal, ensuring a remunerative price for farmers.
Procurement Timeline and Coverage
Briefing reporters, cabinet minister Suresh Khanna announced that the state government will procure maize from farmers between June 15 and July 31. Procurement operations will be carried out in 24 districts, including Firozabad, Agra, Mainpuri, Aligarh, Kasganj, Hathras, Etah, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Rampur, Sambhal, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Kanpur Nagar, Auraiya, Etawah, Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Hardoi, Unnao, Bahraich, Ballia, Gonda, Fatehpur, and Mirzapur.
Procurement Centres and Target
Procurement centres will be established primarily in areas with high maize production and strong procurement potential. The government has decided to open 150 procurement centres across the state for this purpose. For the 2025-26 Kharif marketing season, the state has set a procurement target of 25,000 metric tonnes of maize.
Farmer Requirements and Payment Process
According to Khanna, farmers will be required to provide a computerised revenue record (Khatauni), a photo identity proof, and an Aadhaar card while selling maize at procurement centres. Verification of land records and the sown area of the crop will be conducted online through linkage with the revenue department's records.
The government has assured timely payment to farmers. The purchase amount will be transferred directly to farmers' Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through the Government of India's Public Financial Management System (PFMS) portal within 48 hours of procurement. This move is aimed at ensuring remunerative prices for maize growers and strengthening the state's procurement mechanism for coarse grains.
