Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that commendable work has been done in procurement of wheat despite the adverse conditions arising out of Corona lockdown in the State. It was a formidable challenge which has been met out successfully, he added.
Madhya Pradesh Government started wheat procurement on April 15 and within a short period of about one and quarter of month over 1.20 crore MT of wheat has since been procured from 15.29 lakh farmers and payment thereof made to them without delay.
The most important thing is that 13.80 lakh of these farmers are small, medium and marginal ones, who are the neediest at this time. The Chief Minister has complemented the staff of all concerned departments including Food and Civil Supplies department for working against time to make a good job of it for the welfare of farmers.
First Time So Many Small, Medium and Marginal Farmers Benefited Chouhan said that it is for the first time in the state that such a large number of small, medium and marginal farmers have sold wheat on MSP.
Earlier, they had to sell it in the open market due to lack of storage facility and paucity of cash at lower prices. But during the lockdown they didn't have even that option. The government realized their problem and despite adverse situation procured wheat from them.
Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies Shiv Shekhar Shukla said that it was a formidable challenge to launch wheat procurement process during lockdown period and procuring the produce from farmers while ensuring maintenance of social distancing norms.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Chouhan the administrative staff worked day in and day out and made it a success. First SMSes were sent to very few farmers and their number was increased gradually, to ensure all precautions and to avoid overcrowding at procurement centres.
Shukla informed that there are 19.46 lakh registered farmers in the state and so far total 15.29 lakh farmers have sold 120 MT wheat on MSP. A sum of over Rs 16 crore has been paid to them. Remaining payment will be made shortly. He informed that 85 percent of the procured wheat has been transported and stored safely.
The Principal Secretary informed that out of total registered farmers, 13.80 lakh small, medium and marginal farmers have sold wheat on MSP.
They include 3.18 lakh marginal, 5.41 lakh small and 4.68 medium farmers. Besides, 1.39 lakh big farmers have also sold wheat on MSP. Among them, 1.18 lakh farmers own 5 to 10 hectare and 21 thousand own more than 10 hectare of level.
In year 2019-20total 8.62 lakh small, medium and marginal farmers had sold wheat on MSP. They included 2.12 lakh marginal, 3.24 lakh small and 3.26 lakh medium farmers. Besides, over 90 thousand farmers having 5 to 20 hectare and 14,000 farmers with over 10 hectare of land had sold it.
