The Uttar Pradesh government’s procurement agencies have so far purchased close to 50 lakh metric tons of paddy from farmers.
The procurement during the current Kharif season has benefited over seven lakh farmers and they have been paid Rs 10,145 crore so far.
The state government has set a target to procure 70 lakh metric tons of paddy under the minimum support price (MSP) mechanism.
The MSP for common variety and grade-A paddy has been fixed at Rs 2,183 per quintal and Rs 2,203 per quintal, respectively. This translates into procurement of Rs 15,000 crore worth of paddy if the state achieves its target.
The government has decided to give priority to small and medium farmers, whose net harvest is less than 60 quintals, so that they do not face a distress sale situation.
Paddy purchase from the farmers is still on. The Food and Civil Supplies department has set up over 5,160 paddy procurement centres across the state.
