After fixing a record 80 lakh tonnes target for wheat purchase from farmers and announcing farm loan waiver, the Yogi Government has now decided to purchase potatoes directly from the farmers to prevent distress selling. An order in this regard was issued on Monday.
In the first phase, Agriculture department will purchase one lakh tonnes of potatoes at a price of Rs487 per quintal. Potatoes would be purchased through State agencies like PCF, UP Agro and NAFED.
State BJP general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak said that the party had promised to potato farmers that it would provide relief to them.
“This decision is an extension of that announcement. This time there is bumper potato crop forcing farmers to sell their produce for peanuts. To ensure that farmers got a good remunerative price for their produce, the Government has decided to purchase potatoes directly from them. The BJP Government is a pro-farmer Government and will do whatever is required for them,” Pathak stressed.
The BJP leader alleged that the previous Samajwadi Party Government did nothing for potato growers leading to distress sale by them.
The State Government has already announced purchase of 80 lakh tonnes of wheat from farmers this season with 40 lakh tonnes to be procured in the first phase.
Similarly, in the Farm loan Waiver Scheme, around 83 lakh farmers would be benefited who had taken loans up to Rs1 lakh. The Government will spend over Rs36,000 crore for the waiver.
Pathak said that the UP Government is strengthening the mandis and ensuring a quick transparent system.