Process on to procure local paddy rice: Susindro
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, June 20 2022: Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (CAF&PD) minister Leishangthem Susindro Meitei chaired a public meeting on procurement of locally produced Paddy (Phou) by farmers of Manipur for distribution under National Food Security Act (NFSA).

The meeting held at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) auditorium, Palace Compound was organised by CAF&PD department on Monday.

Addressing the gathering, Susindro said that procurement of locally produced paddy is the first step taken up by the N Biren-led government for the welfare of the farmers.

The minister informed that he has been personally pursuing the state government for procurement of locally produced paddy rice since his induction as minister of the department.

While stating that the first step is to create a relation between government and farmers of the state, Susindro assured that the state government will procure paddy through district officers and also women traders who are in this business, after forming syndicates in their respective localities according to the rate fixed by the government.

The government has to fix a rate at this juncture and it is necessary to make the traders aware of the criteria needed for procurement, he said.

Susindro also appealed to the farmers to have faith in the steps taken up by the government as it has made a commitment on making the project successful.

The state government will make necessary arrangement to solve the problems faced by the farmers, he continued, adding that there will be a modification in irrigation system for successful farming in the state.

Double and triple cropping will ultimately be taken up after the success of the first step, he said.

Stating that collective approach of various government departments is necessary for execution of the project, CAF&PD minister sought co-operation of departments and farmers for reaping fruit of the project.

The interest of women traders of the state will also be taken into account for achievement of the project, he added.

Food Corporation of India (FCI) movement manager Y Robindro Singh gave a detailed account on the feasibility of the procurement process of the corporation.

He said that the central government extends price support to wheat and paddy through FCI and State Agencies.

The crops identified by government are procured at Minimum Support Price (MSP) under the Government of India's policy.

The process considers the cost of production, demand and supply, international rate and the living standard of the farmers, he said.

He added that government agencies undertake MSP operation at mandis/temporary purchase centres/aggregation points.

Government intervenes if MSP is lower than the usual price and purchases the crops temporarily, he added.

The procurement system is divided into Centralised and Decentralised procurement systems and the procurement is done according to this system, he explained.

Representatives of farmer organisations deliberated on the feasibility of the procurement of the paddy under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) considering the problems faced by the farmers at present for sufficient supply of paddy in the state.

CAF&PD commissioner Bobby Waikhom, director Robertson Asem, FCI DGM Om Pratap, officials and staff of CAF&PD, representatives of the farmer groups and NGOs attended the public meeting.

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