JAMMU: In view of the approaching paddy harvesting season, the Agriculture department Jammu today discussed the arrangements for the procurement of the crop at a meeting of stakeholders chaired byJoint Director Agriculture (Inputs), A. S. Reen, here today at Krishi Bhawan, Talab Tillo, Jammu to review preparedness for procurement of Paddy produce during Kharif Marketing Season, 2022-23.

The modalities in this regard were discussed threadbare and attention of participating officers was drawn towards smooth and timely procurement of Paddy by the Food Corporation of India directly from producers through DBT.

The Joint Director Agriculture (Inputs) said that the purpose of opening these procurement centres is to save the farmers from distress sale and ensure that they get a minimum support price for their produce. He stressed on updating the crop and farmers related data on the procurement portal (FEAST) developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC).

Other issues discussed included opening of additional procurement mandi at Dhani-Bhagta, MOU of FCS & CA with Adhar for linking UIDAI data base with FEAST Procurement Portal, uniform cleaning charges, besides smooth supply of gunny bags, logistic support and other necessary facilities at procurement mandies by the Food Corporation of India in coordination with the Agriculture department.

It was enjoined upon all the concerned departments to work in coordination to solve the procurement related issues to facilitate the farmers of Jammu division.

Instructions were also passed on to upload KMS-2022-23 specifications/farmers data of the new procurement centre.

The Joint Director informed that opening of 11 Centers (Mandies) for Jammu district, 11 for Kathua and 1 for Samba have been agreed upon this year for Paddy procurement. It was revealed that this year the GOI has fixed Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs. 2060/- per quintal for Grade A and Rs. 2040/- per quintal for Common Grade Paddy.

DM, FCI, Jammu, Parveen Kumar Gautam, AGM (QC) FCI, Jammu, H. S. Sohan, AGM (Tech.), Santosh Kumar, CAO Samba, Sanjay Verma, DAO (Extension), Kathua, Raju Mahajan, DAO (Extension), Jammu, Murari Lal, Under Secretary, FCS & CA, Sushil Mattoo and Technical officer(Agri-Marketing), Sanjeev Khajuria attended the meeting.