Dantewada, December 27, 2024: In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Year 2024-25, the procurement of paddy at support prices began on November 14 across Chhattisgarh, including Dantewada district. Paddy is being procured through 15 collection centers in the district. Currently, there are 16,110 registered farmers in the district. Farmers are also being provided cash payments of up to ₹10,000 through micro-ATMs. To ensure smooth operations, adequate availability of empty gunny bags has been arranged at all procurement centers. Under this initiative, paddy is being purchased at a rate of 21 quintals per acre, ensuring fair compensation for the farmers’ produce.
Balram Nag, a farmer from Patarras village near Dantewada, sold 150 quintals of paddy at the Balood procurement center under this scheme. Owning 40 acres of joint farmland, Nag also has 50 quintals of surplus paddy remaining. Sharing his experience, he expressed satisfaction with the government’s policies, noting that the process for selling paddy at the support price has become more streamlined and transparent this year.
“The online token system has significantly reduced waiting times,” Nag remarked. “The smooth arrangements at the procurement centers and the cooperative attitude of the officials have made the experience stress-free. We no longer have to rely on middlemen, and the staff at the center are very helpful.” He added that some of his fellow farmers received their payments within two days of selling their paddy, calling it a welcome relief for farmers like him.
Nag further praised the slot booking system, which helped farmers avoid long queues at the procurement centers. He acknowledged Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai’s leadership in ensuring paddy procurement at 21 quintals per acre and a support price of ₹3,100 per quintal, calling it a major relief for farmers. “This ensures that we receive the rightful value for our hard work,” Nag said. He also commended the district administration for their efforts and expressed hope that such initiatives would continue in the future.
Balram Nag plans to use the earnings from his paddy sale to invest in farming and meet pending family expenses. Notably, Dantewada district has so far procured 71,072 metric tons of paddy from 2,583 farmers under the scheme.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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