The Food Ministry issued a statement on Sunday, according to which Punjab has procured 85.41 lakh tonnes (LT) of paddy worth around Rs 19.8 billion in the current Kharif marketing season 2024-25. The procurement drive is now in full swing, with nearly 4 lakh farmers receiving payments for this season’s efforts, showing substantial progress despite initial setbacks due to unseasonal rains.
The rice procurement campaign, which officially began on October 1, was initially disrupted due to heavy rains in September, causing high moisture content in the harvest and delaying the normal start. However, with improving weather conditions, operations have accelerated and the Ministry of Food has confirmed that procurement activities are progressing rapidly.
According to the ministry, a total of 90.69 LT rice has reached Mandis across Punjab till November 2, of which 85.41 LT rice has already been purchased by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and various agencies state. The Central Government has set a target of procuring 185 LT for Punjab this season, showing that more than 45 per cent of the target has already been achieved. Rice is purchased at the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 2,320 per quintal for ‘Grade A’ rice set by the government.
To manage the influx and ensure an organized procurement process, the Punjab state government has designated 2,927 mandis and temporary procurement yards across the region. This comprehensive setup aims to reduce hassles and provide a seamless experience to farmers when bringing their produce. The participation of approximately 4,640 rice millers who have applied for rice threshing operations supports the process. So far, the state government has assigned hulling jobs to 4,132 millers to speed up post-harvest processing and avoid potential delays.
The state government and FCI are leading the procurement drive under the MSP. The initiative is part of a broader government strategy to financially support farmers to ensure they get fair prices for their crops and are protected from potential losses on the open market. The payment system, which has already disbursed Rs 19.8 billion, is designed to transfer funds directly to farmers in a timely manner, increase the liquidity of rural communities and help farmers meet their immediate financial needs.
Agricultural procurement in Punjab is important not only for the state’s economy but also for India’s food security. Punjab is one of the largest rice producers in the country, and government procurement at the MSP level is essential to stabilize prices, especially for major crops like rice and wheat. The fluidity of the procurement process also underlines the importance of government intervention in agricultural markets, especially during the Kharif season, when crop prices can fluctuate due to variations in weather conditions and yields.
Despite the slow start, the Food Ministry is optimistic about reaching the season’s procurement target, especially considering the current pace of operations. The scale of procurement in Punjab serves as an example of the effectiveness of government intervention in supporting farmers and stabilizing the agricultural sector.
As the Kharif season progresses, the government will continue to monitor and facilitate the procurement process, ensuring that farmers receive payments on time and that the rice procurement target is efficiently met. This season’s procurement efforts not only reflect the resilience of Punjab’s agricultural sector but also demonstrate the robust systems in place to protect farmers’ interests, reinforcing the importance of a stable and supportive framework for the agricultural economy. of India.
