Vice Chairman, State Advisory Board for Development of Kisans, Daljit Singh Chib, today inaugurated Paddy Procurement Centre at Jourian in Akhnoor.Rupesh Kumar Shah, Area Manager Food Corporation of India, Arun Mankothra Assistant Agriculture Extension Officer Jammu, S K Langer, SDAO Akhnoor, Rajesh Langer AEO Jourian , P D Sharma, Ex- Corporator, Jourian besides other senior officers of Agriculture Department and Food Corporation of India were present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, Daljit Singh Chib said the procurement centres in the state are increasing in number every year and the facilities to farmers by various agencies and departments are improving. He said that Procurement centre in Jourian is successfully working for last three years benefiting poor farmers to a great extent. This year the centre has been opened earlier than its normal time for benefit of farmers, he added.Chib said that these procurement centres will help the farmers in selling their produce at the rates (Minimum Support Price) fixed by the government which have been increased by the government this year and fixed at Rs 1550 for Paddy “Common” and Rs 1590 for Paddy “Grade A”.
He said that earlier in absence of such centres farmers were forced to sell paddy at nominal rates of Rs 700 to Rs 800 per quintal.He further said that J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kisans has advocated for permanent mandies for procurement which will permanently solve the problem of farmers in selling their produce. These procurement centres will ensure competition among private millers to give maximum rate to farmers by adopting fair practices hence benefitting the community at large. He urged upon the concerned agencies and departments to put in their best efforts so that farmers do not face any inconvenience in selling their produce. He also highlighted the benefits of Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana, KCC and other centrally and state sponsored schemes for farmers.He appreciated the efforts of Agriculture Department and FCI for procurement of farmers' produce and saving them from exploitation at the hands of middlemen. He also directed them to open such Paddy procurement centres in Khour and Pragwal. He advised farmers to adopt diversified and organic farming to increase their farm income.Speaking on the occasion, District Agriculture Extension officer apprised farmers of various schemes of agriculture sector.Charanjit Singh Jamwal, Tersem Singh, Krishan Dutt, Suraj Prakash, Ranjet Singh, Ajay Khajuria and large number of farmers were present on the occasion.