The Government of Madhya Pradesh has announced its procurement policy for paddy, sorghum (jowar), and millet (bajra) for the upcoming kharif season. Under this policy, the state government will purchase these crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). While several states have already begun procuring kharif crops from farmers, the process in Madhya Pradesh will start soon. The procurement of sorghum and millet will take place from November 22 to December 20, while paddy procurement will be conducted from December 2 to January 20, 2025.
Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection Minister Govind Singh Rajput has instructed all relevant officials to strictly follow the procurement policy to ensure that farmers receive the full benefits. Any negligence by officials or staff during the process will result in stringent action.
The state government has ensured that the procurement centers are set up with farmers' convenience in mind. These centers will primarily be established in warehouses or camp premises. If such spaces are unavailable, procurement centers will also be set up at committee or other levels. The location of the procurement centers will be based on farmer registration, the area sown, and data from previous years.
The Madhya Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation has been designated as the main nodal agency for the procurement of paddy, sorghum, and millet at MSP. Additionally, cooperative societies, women's self-help groups, and other approved organizations will also be involved in the procurement process.
Burlap Sacks (Bardana) Arrangement: For paddy procurement, 46% of the burlap sacks will be used from old stock, while 54% will be new jute sacks. For sorghum and millet, only new sacks will be used.
Procurement Based on FAQ Standards: The government has clarified that procurement will be based on FAQ (Fair Average Quality) standards. If any crop does not meet these standards, it will be purchased at a lower price, and a sample will be stored at the Agricultural Produce Market (APM).
MSP Rates for the Kharif Crops: The MSP rates set by the central government for the crops are as follows:
Registration for Procurement: Farmers can complete the registration process online to sell their crops. They need to visit the www.mpeuparjan.nic.in portal and book a slot for registration. After registration, farmers will receive updates on their mobile phones, and they will be notified via SMS or a portal printout.
Conclusion: The new procurement policy, the state government is taking all necessary steps to ensure that farmers benefit from fair prices for their produce. This policy aims to facilitate a smooth and transparent procurement process, offering farmers better support and ensuring they receive fair compensation for their crops.
