Amid protest by farmers at Delhi-borders seeking repeal of the three farm laws and a legal guarantee on the MSP, the government has procured 583.31 lakh tonnes of paddy worth Rs 1,10,130.52 crore till January 25 this kharif marketing season at the minimum support price. Kharif marketing season starts from October.
The food ministry said ‘In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at MSP from farmers as per existing MSP schemes’. The Centre has procured 583.31 lakh tonnes of paddy till January 25, up 20.53 per cent from 483.92 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period.
About 84.06 lakh farmers have already been benefited from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs 1,10,130.52 crore. Out of the total purchase of 583.31 lakh tonnes, Punjab has contributed 202.77 lakh tonnes.