December 12, 2018: For the first time in the history of the State, Food Corporation of India (FCI) will start procuring paddy from farmers from December 15. In a two-month long drive, FCI will procure paddy from State farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed at Rs 1750 per quintal. The procurement will continue till February 15, 2019. State Food Minister Manoj Kanti Deb said this and added target is set to procure 10 thousand MT paddy.
He also said, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb is likely to inaugurate the procurement drive at MSP and the inauguration programme will be held at Kalachhari Agri-Sector office under Kamalpur on December 15 and will be conducted at 10 different places.
Details of schedule for paddy procurement are available with concerned agricultural offices. “The farmers are already in upbeat mood and eagerly waiting for selling to FCI at MSP for the first time in their lives”, said one farmer of Jolaibari.
According to Central guidelines applicable to every farmer of the State, upper cap for selling is fixed at 15-quintal subject to specific quality testing. “If quality of the paddy satisfies prescribed quality, one farmer can sell maximum 15-quintal. FCI will deposit the payment through cheque in farmers’ account within four days”, sources said.
The move to procure paddy at MSP will open new avenues for farmers of the State and will guarantee fair prices. However, farmers of an area will have to contact concerned Agri-Officers and collect certificates through Pharma’s Registration.
