State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sushanta Chowdhury inaugurated a paddy procurement camp at the Inter State Truck Terminus in Madhavbari, Jirania subdivision, highlighting the government’s commitment to enhancing the agricultural sector in the state. The camp, organized by the State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare along with the State Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department, aims to support farmers by ensuring procurement of paddy at Minimum Support Price (MSP), ultimately doubling their income.
Minister Chowdhury asserted that since the establishment of the BJP government in 2018, there has been a dedicated effort to secure the livelihoods of farmers and double their income. Criticizing the previous government for allegedly deceiving farmers for over 25 years, he emphasized the current government’s initiatives to provide quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and expert advice through Krishak Bandhu Kendra and Krishak Gyan Arjan Kendra in every agricultural sub-division.
The government is also taking measures to ensure farmers receive fair prices for their produce, with the procurement of paddy at MSP. Minister Chowdhury highlighted that farmers are benefitting from the government paddy buying center, receiving a higher price compared to selling in the open market.
This year, the MSP for procuring paddy during the Kharif season has been increased to Rs 21.83 per kg. The state government has set an ambitious target to purchase 50,000 metric tonnes of paddy directly from farmers.
Addressing concerns of potential harassment faced by farmers, Minister Chowdhury instructed officials to closely monitor the paddy buying centers. The initiative aims to streamline the procurement process, ensuring a fair and hassle-free experience for farmers.
The event saw the presence of key officials, including Special Secretary of the Food and Civil Supplies Department Raval Hemendra Kumar, Director Nirmal Adhikari, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department’s Sharadindu Das, and Jirania Nagar Panchayat Chairperson Ratan Das, demonstrating a collaborative effort to strengthen the agricultural sector in the state.
