Jharkhand: Target of paddy purchase is 60 lakh quintals, 10.90 lakh quintals purchased in 2 months

Ranchi: In the Kharif marketing season 2023-24, the government is purchasing paddy from the farmers of the state. It has been decided by the state government to pay Rs 2300 per quintal to the farmers on the purchase of paddy. This includes a bonus amount of Rs 117 per quintal. Even after this, farmers are not showing interest in selling paddy to the government. This is the reason that even after more than two months, only 10.90 lakh quintals of paddy has been purchased from 18,686 farmers. This is about 19 percent of the set target of 60 lakh quintals. Now to achieve the target, the government will have to purchase 49 lakh quintals of paddy from farmers in the remaining 24 days.

Farmers’ argument, outstanding amount is received in one year

Farmers are giving many arguments regarding selling paddy at low prices. They say that after selling the paddy, the government has to wait for a year for the money, whereas the middlemen come to their homes and buy the paddy by paying cash. Many times paddy is refused to be taken due to moisture in it. Not only this, there is a provision to take permission from the committee constituted by DC to sell more than 200 quintals of paddy. Farmers have to take paddy to the paddy purchasing center in a rented vehicle. Many times, due to delay in purchasing paddy, one has to pay more fare for vehicles.

Currently purchasing paddy at 539 purchasing centers

Currently, paddy is being procured by the government at 539 purchasing centres. 2.31 lakh farmers have registered to sell paddy in the current financial year. Out of this, SMS has been sent to 2,74,924 farmers regarding paddy purchase. Till now, Rs 138 crore has been paid among the farmers selling paddy.