In a significant move to support farmers, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a major expansion of the state's paddy procurement infrastructure. During a high-level review meeting in Lucknow, the CM directed officials to increase the number of procurement centres from the current 4,227 to 5,000 across the state.
Boosting Procurement Access for Farmers
The directive aims to make it significantly easier for farmers in every village to sell their produce. Chief Minister Adityanath emphasized that every farmer arriving at a procurement centre must have their paddy purchased, and no one should be turned away. He stated that the administration's responsibility is to prevent overcrowding and ensure a smooth process for all.
Officials briefed the CM on the progress so far, revealing that since the start of the current procurement season, 9.02 lakh metric tons of paddy has been procured from 1.51 lakh farmers. In a transparent move, Rs 1,984 crore has been transferred directly to the bank accounts of these farmers. The Chief Minister issued a stern warning that any delay in payment to farmers would not be tolerated.
Higher MSP and Streamlined Operations
This year, the government has increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy. The MSP for common grade rice is fixed at Rs 2,369 per quintal, while Grade-A rice will fetch Rs 2,389 per quintal. This marks an increase of Rs 69 per quintal compared to the previous year.
To improve efficiency, the CM instructed officials to increase manpower at centres where necessary. He also stressed the need to simplify related processes, including paddy lifting and mill mapping, to maintain a continuous and hassle-free procurement flow.
Review of Fertiliser and Mid-Day Meal Supply
Amidst complaints from some quarters about fertiliser shortages—a charge rejected by the government—the Chief Minister also reviewed the availability of fertilisers and seeds. He issued strict directions to officials, stating that there should be no shortage of fertilisers in any district. Officials were instructed to conduct regular reviews of stock and supply chains to ensure adequacy.
Furthermore, the meeting addressed the supply of fortified rice for critical welfare schemes. The CM directed officials to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fortified rice for mid-day meals and Anganwadi centres. To achieve this, he called for increasing the number of vendors and promptly resolving any technical issues to maintain adequate stock.
The comprehensive review underscores the state government's focus on farmer welfare and food security, aiming to create a robust and farmer-friendly procurement ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh.
