9875 Views
Updated On:
Paddy procurement in Haryana is delayed to October 1, 2024, with a new e-Kharid app simplifying the selling process.
In a significant move, the date for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) paddy purchase in Haryana has been postponed. The Central Government, in collaboration with state governments, announces MSP for crops before every Rabi and Kharif season to ensure farmers get a fair price. This year, the paddy procurement date has been shifted from September 23 to October 1, 2024, due to weather-related challenges and storage issues.
Also Read: Paddy Procurement to Begin on September 23: Key Details for Farmers in the State
The main reason behind the extension is the heavy rainfall in Haryana during September. This late monsoon has increased the moisture content in paddy crops, delaying the harvesting and drying process. Additionally, rice millers in the state are still managing leftover stock from the previous season, and they require empty storage space for the new harvest. Given these challenges, the state government, under guidance from the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, decided to delay the start of the paddy procurement to October 1, 2024.
The Haryana government has set a target to procure approximately 60 lakh tonnes of paddy during the Kharif season of 2024-25. For this, 241 procurement centers have been established across the state. These centers will have shade, water, and basic facilities for farmers, ensuring a smooth procurement process.
Additionally, farmers will need to obtain a Mandi gate pass before selling their crops. The State Agricultural Marketing Board has introduced a helpline number 1800-180-2600, which farmers can use if they face any issues during the sale process. This year, paddy cultivation in Haryana covers 14.63 lakh hectares of land.
Also Read: Crop Loss Compensation: Government Steps in to Support Farmers
The procurement of other Kharif crops like millet and moong will begin on October 1, 2024, and will continue until November 5, 2024. The state has set up 91 centers for millet and 38 centers for moong procurement. Additionally, 19 centers have been designated for maize purchase. This year, 4.44 lakh hectares of land in Haryana has been used for millet cultivation, expecting production of 10.78 lakh metric tons, while maize is expected to yield 0.23 lakh metric tons from 0.07 lakh hectares.
The Central Government has announced an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the 2024-25 crop marketing season. The MSP for normal paddy is set at ₹2300 per quintal, while A-grade paddy will be purchased at ₹2320 per quintal, an increase of ₹117 from the previous season.
Crop | MSP for 2024-25 (₹ per quintal) |
Normal Paddy | ₹2300 |
A-Grade Paddy | ₹2320 |
Millet | ₹2625 |
Moong | ₹8682 |
Maize | ₹2225 |
Farmers can expect to benefit from this price increase, especially with the ₹117 rise in paddy MSP compared to last year.
To make the process easier for farmers, the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board has launched a new mobile app called e-Kharid. This app will allow farmers to create and download a digital Mandi gate pass from the comfort of their homes. This can be done via the e-Kharid mobile app or the official portal ekharid.haryana.gov.in.
The app will notify farmers about the status of their gate passes, reducing the need to stand in long queues. Training has also been provided to field officers, Mandi employees, and commission agents, ensuring they are prepared to assist farmers in using this new system.
Also Read: Good News for Farmers: Government Announces Rs 500 Bonus on Paddy Purchase
The extension of the paddy procurement date and the introduction of the e-Kharid app aim to address weather-related delays and improve convenience for farmers. These measures ensure that farmers receive fair prices while simplifying the sale process through modern digital tools, ultimately benefiting the agriculture community.