Market ‘competition’ for wheat procurement

Bhopal: The state government has so far procured over 32 lakh metric tons of wheat from 387,808 farmers, against that payment of ₹1948.10 crore has already been made, said officials.Started earlier this month, the procurement process of wheat is likely to be completed by May 2. The state has fixed a minimum support price (

MSP

) of ₹ 2015 per quintal. However many farmers are taking their produce to the market for a better price. Sources say wheat sold by them in the open market is of superior quality which includes the famous

Sharbati

variety; farmers are getting Rs 2400 to Rs 2500 per quintal in the open market. Over 4000 centres have been set up in the state and 1981506 farmers have registered for the procurement of the wheat. Farmers in large numbers have been reaching these centres with tractor trolleys laden with wheat. Principal Secretary

Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection

Faiz Ahmed Kidwai said that the process of procurement was being done at a fast pace due to bumper production of wheat in the state. An amount of Rs 1948.10 crore has already been transferred in the accounts of the farmers till April 27, principal secretary added.For the first time, arrangements have been made by the food department to make payment of the accrued wheat in the bank accounts linked with Aadhaar. This would ensure the payment of support price to the farmer and to upload the paid amount on the PFMS ( public financial management system) portal of the Union government, a government spokesman said. The state is expecting over 76 lakh MT wheat procurement this year.