Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh: Paddy procurement started in the Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh from November 1. But due to the farmers’ crops not being fully ripened, they are not reaching the centre. And due to this, even irrigation could not be done in more than half of the farmlands. But the farmers believe that paddy harvesting will start within a week and the crops will start going to the farmer’s market in December.
The main reason for crops not sowing in paddy centers is blamed at the date of commencement of paddy procurement. This year it rained intermittently till the month of October. Due to this, the crop ripened late. 90% of the crop is still standing in the field. 10 days have passed since the purchase started.
The management of the committees that buy paddy from the farmers at the minimum support price says that only after 8 to 10 days, there will be a crowd of farmers at the procurement centers. Now the farmers are harvesting the paddy crop. After drying, the paddy will be taken in sacks and reach the cooperative centers for sale.
This year, compared to last year, more than six thousand farmers have registered to sell paddy at the support price. For the first time, a record number of farmers have registered to sell paddy. The administration is hopeful that the target of procurement will be achieved in the district. In some areas, farmers are facing difficulties in harvesting paddy.
The administration claims that farmers are satisfied with the arrangements made for selling paddy. Farmers themselves are issuing tokens online through the app. After getting the token facility, the farmers have been freed from the process they had to go through to sell paddy earlier.