06 October 2020, New Delhi, IN: The arrival of Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 has already commenced and the Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes as done in previous seasons.
Paddy procurement through FCI and state government agencies for KMS 20-21 has picked up fast in some of the procuring states like Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. It is expected to start in other procuring States very soon. As on 5.10.2020, the cumulative procurement of paddy has already crossed 11.14 LMT, procured through over 87,000 farmers having MSP value of 2,103.46 Crores.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 29.64 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds for Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana & Uttar Pradesh. Sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra (the perennial crop) for the State of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under Price Support Scheme (PSS) so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Up to 05.10.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 140.30 MT of Moong having MSP value of Rs.1.01 crore benefitting 111 farmers in Tamil Nadu and Haryana. Similarly, 5,089 MT of copra having MSP value of Rs. 52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3,961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu against the sanctioned quantity of 1.23 LMT for the Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling at or above MSP. Respective State Governments are making arrangements for commencement of procurement in respect of Moong.
The Procurement of Cotton Seeds (Kapas) during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 has also Started from 1st October 2020 and upto 5rd October 2020, Cotton Corporation of India has procured 627 bales under MSP for MSP value of Rs 173.80 lakhs benefiting 137 farmers of Haryana and Punjab.
