In its ongoing efforts to promote the production of millets (Shri Anna), the Uttar Pradesh government headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has purchased 10,129.85 metric tons of jowar (sorghum) from farmers under the procurement process for the Kharif Marketing Year 2023-24 and has paid them Rs 2,834.77 lakh in a transparent way.

In order to promote both production and consumption of millets in the state, the Yogi government, under the International Year of Millets 2023, has organised Shri Anna Mahotsav. The event seeks to encourage farmers to grow millets in order to increase their income substantially, and people to consume it for a healthy life, by raising their awareness about it. 

The state government, as a gesture of goodwill, has fixed the support price of hybrid jowar at Rs 3,180 per quintal and of Maldandi jowar at Rs. 3,225 per quintal.

Out of the total purchase of 10,129.85 metric tons of jowar made by the government across eight divisions, the highest procurement took place in the Kanpur region, where 8,078.05 metric tons were procured. This includes 3,272.70 metric tons in Kanpur Nagar and 4,805.35 metric tons in Kanpur Dehat.

In the Jhansi division, 1,165.80 metric tons of jowar were procured whereas the Lucknow division saw the procurement of 482.65 metric tons and Chitrakoot division, 357.15 metric tons.

Farmers are also being paid on time by the Yogi government for the procurement of coarse grains. So far, Rs 2,834.77 lakh has been paid to the farmers of eight divisions for purchase of jowar.

Maize procurement is also continuing at a rapid pace in other divisions.

At present, jowar will be purchased till December 31.  A total of Rs 2,262 lakh has been paid to 1,654 farmers at 11 purchasing centres of Kanpur (Urban-Dehat) and more than Rs 335.093 to farmers in the Jhansi division.