Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the Rabi procurement on support price will be started in all districts except Indore, Ujjain and Bhopal from coming April 15 in the State.

During this time, procurement should be ensured by following social distancing and all other protective measures in the mandis. Chouhan said that this time farmers are being given facility to sell their foodgrain directly to the traders even outside the mandis.

The Chief Minister was reviewing the preparations for Rabi procurement work in the state along with senior officials in Mantralaya. Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains, Secretary Public Relations P Narhari and all concerned officers were present in the meeting. The Chief Minister instructed that farmers should be informed through SMS about the date and in which shift they have to come to the support price centers to sell their crops.

It should be ensured that farmers come and sell the crop on the same day and in the shift. Such arrangements should be made that about 10 to 12 farmers are called daily for procurement.

It was informed that due to the present circumstances of Corona, this time the farmers are being given the facility to sell their grain directly to the traders on support price through ‘Sauda Patrak’. This system lasted till 2009 in the state, after which it was discontinued. In addition, farmers will also be able to sell their produce at ITC procurement centers. It was informed at the meeting that for the purchase of gram, lentil and mustard at support price, procurement centres are being built outside the mandis this year as well.

The number of these centers is 790, which will be sufficient. These grains are likely to be purchased at a support price of about 8 lakh MT.

Chouhan directed that all arrangements for gunny bags, weighing, loading, transportation of food grains, storage etc. at procurement centers should be excellent to purchase grain at support price from farmers. Special vigilance needs to be taken due to Corona crisis.