Tripura govt aims to buy 35k MT paddy from farmers

Agartala: Food and civil supplies minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Tuesday formally launched the direct procurement of 35,000 metric tonnes of paddy from farmers at a function here.Chowdhury said as safeguarding the interests of farmers in the state is of paramount importance, the BJP-led government, has begun the procurement of paddy through FCI for public distribution system soon after coming to power in 2018.In continuation of the effort, a target has been set to directly purchase 35,000 metric tonnes of paddy from farmers during the current rabi season. The procurement will be done at a minimum support price of Rs 20.4 per kg.To facilitate the process, farmers can sell their paddy at 40 designated centres across the state. They can contact the nearest agriculture department office or sub-divisional magistrate’s office (food department) to sell their produce.The purchase of paddy each season aims to augment the stock of foodgrain in the country while regulating market prices, Chowdhury said. He emphasised that specific purchase instructions have been issued to each district and sub-division this year to fulfil this objective. He urged officials to ensure that farmers are not subjected to any harassment during the paddy-selling process and instructed them to closely monitor the situation to prevent farmers from being coerced into selling their paddy below the minimum support price.