The State Government has decided to hike the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for five Rabi crops - mung, arhar, black gram, groundnut and sunflower seed.
The MSPs, including bonus, per quintal for these produce are Rs 5,575 (mung), Rs 5,400 (black gram), Rs 5,450 (arhar) and Rs 4,100 (sunflower seed).
The Markfed will purchase these produce through the Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACSs) from the farmers.
In a videoconferencing on Thursday, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi held discussion with the district Collectors and asked them to take necessary steps for hassle free procurement of the crops.
Padhi also directed Agriculture and Cooperation officials to ensure that middle men don’t take any advantage by buying the produce from the farmers at lower prices through distress sale and sell them at higher prices in the names of farmers to the Government.
This year the Government has targeted to procure 12,520 MT mung, 4,900 MT black gramn, 4,400 MT arhar, 13,480 MT groundnut and 1,500 MT sunflower seed.