The Andhra Pradesh government, which is contemplating to start paddy procurement from the farmers, has issued guidelines and said that it will be undertaken under a decentralization system. Orders have been issued to purchase grain through Rythu Seva Kendras and Grain Collection Centres.
Under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, orders have been issued for the purchase of grain by farmers and tenant farmers with e-harvest and e-KYC information. After purchasing grain, the government directed that money be deposited into farmers’ accounts through Aadhaar-linked e-Panta and e-KYC.
The government has made it clear in the GO that the Civil Supplies Department and AP Markfed will act as nodal agencies for procurement of grain at the state level. The government has said that rice millers who buy paddy should also register in the paddy procurement portal.
Also, it has been revealed that the minimum support price prescribed for rice by the central government is Rs.2300 per quintal of normal type and Rs.2320 per quintal of grade A type. The government has made it clear that it is targeting to collect 37 lakh metric tonnes of grain in this kharif season.
District Collectors and Joint Collectors have been entrusted with the supervision of grain collection and milling operations. The AP government has recently made an important announcement regarding Kharif grain procurement.
Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar said that procurement of Kharif procurement will start from October 1. Recently, a workshop was held with District Joint Collectors and District Officers of Civil Supplies Department on Kharif paddy procurement.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Nadendla Manohar revealed that money will reach the farmer’s account within 48 hours of buying grain. Plans have been prepared to buy every grain grown by the farmer. He said that the farmer will have freedom in the sale of grain and choice of mills. He made it clear that every farmer will be assured that the entire process will act transparently at every step.
