Wheat procurement on support price is on at a rapid pace in the State since March 25. So far, 42 lakh MT wheat has been procured from 5,49,185 farmers at 2,965 procurement centers. Payment of Rs4,429 crore has been made to farmers in lieu of wheat procured from them. After relaxation given in quality, 1.50 lakh MT wheat is being procured daily on an average.
This year, wheat is being procured at the rate of Rs1,450 per quintal. Meanwhile, 36.33 lakh MT procured wheat has been safely stored. This year, 18.68 lakh farmers have registered themselves for selling wheat on support price. Madhya Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation has been made nodal agency for procurement in Madhya Pradesh. For the first time, amounts to be paid to farmers have been directly deposited in cooperative societies’ bank accounts so that farmers can be paid timely.
Principal Secretary Food and Civil Supplies Ashok Warnwal has issued directives to collectors regarding wheat procurement. According to the directives, wheat as per relaxation in quality granted by the Central Government should be procured. If dust is mixed in wheat, it should be procured only after sieving. The Principal Secretary has also issued instructions regarding safe transport and storage of procured wheat.