Team News Riveting
Raipur, October 17
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday virtually opened the procurement of Urad, Arhar, and Moong at Minimum Support Price (MSP) in 20 procurement centers across the state.
The decision of the state government to pay MSP to farmers for pulses was aimed to crop diversification and discourage paddy. The Centre has given its nod last month to the Chhattisgarh government’s plan of procuring arhar (pigeon pea), moong (green gram) and urad (black gram) at minimum support prices (MSPs) in the kharif marketing season 2022-23.
The Bhupesh Baghel government had announced in July procuring arhar, urad, and moong at MSPs. Farmers will get Rs 6,600 per quintal for moong and urad, and Rs 7,755 per quintal for arhar. The procurement will be made through the Chhattisgarh State Co-operative Marketing Federation (Markfed).
“The procurement of these crops at support price will give a boost to the income of farmers. Farmers will now have the option that they will be able to sell Arhar, Moong and Urad crops wherever they get a higher price”, the Chief Minister said.
The state government has set up 20 procurement centers to facilitate farmers to sell the yield. While urad and moong will be procured from October 17 to December 16, Arhar will be purchased from March 13, 2023, to May 12, 2023. Under the scheme, arhar will be procured from registered farmers with a cap of 4 quintals per acre, moong 2 quintals per acre, and urad 3 quintals per acre.
