Cooperative societies are successfully conducting the process of paddy procurement in Chhattisgarh, officials informed.
Paddy procurement system is constantly being reformed and being improved for betterment of farmers. In year 2007-08, paddy procurement system was computerised.
Number of new procurement centres was opened for the convenience of farmers.
Earlier, farmers had to go to distant ‘mandi’ for paddy sale, but now steps are being taken to open procurement centres near the villages, so that farmers may sell paddy and receive payment without any problem. In the current fiscal year, there are 1986 paddy procurement centres in the State.
Payment procedure is also being improved from time to time. Earlier, farmers were provided cash payment, later cash was replaced with bearer cheques.
In the year 2012-13, paddy procurement system was equipped with internet connection, after which farmers have started receiving payments through e-transfer directly into their bank accounts. In addition, farmers were given the facility to pay back agriculture loans with selling price of paddy.
In the current fiscal year, total of `1,849 crores have been recovered. Cemented platforms and ‘phad’ are being constructed in paddy procurement centres to save the procured paddy from moisture and other damages. Till year 2015-16, a total of 5,092 cemented platforms and 145 'phad' have been constructed.