CAO Kathua Sanjeev Rai pays visit to Paddy Procurement Centres, inspected paddy procurement operations in the Mandies

KATHUA, November 6: Chief Agriculture Officer, Kathua Sh. Sanjeev Rai Gupta, with team of officers paid visit to Paddy procurement centres of Bhajwal, Nagri, Keerian, Jakhbar and Palli to inspect the paddy procurement operations and functioning of Procurement Centres.

Sh. Sanjeev Rai Gupta, CAO Kathua said, the Department of Agriculture, Kathua  in collaboration with Food Corporation of India has opened 11 Procurement Centres in district to ease procurement of Paddy harvested by farmers to the nearest Procurement Centre of their choice..

He also said, “Interest of the farmers’ is supreme and will be protected by the Department of Agriculture Kathua. The paddy procured is also cleaned at the Paddy procurement centers at the earliest to avoid any delays in procurement process. The paddy is being procured at Minimum Support Price (MSP) announced by Central Government viz. Rs 2183 for the common paddy variety and Rs 2203 for Grade “A” Variety and the amount of paddy purchased is credited in farmers’ bank account through Direct Benefit transfer(DBT) within 48 hrs.

Till date, 40231.5 Quintals of Common paddy and 21028.00 Quintals of Grade “A” paddy has been sold at Procurement Centres by the farmers of the District, consequently purchased by Food Corporation of India.

During his visit Chief Agriculture Officer, Kathua instructed the officials at paddy procurement centres to cooperate with the farmers and act a bridge between Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Farmers’ for better services to farming community.

It is pertinent to mention that APFWD Kathua and FCI has operationalized 11 paddy procurement Centres at Bhajwal, Keerian, Nagri, Jakhbar-Padiyari, Palli, Kunde Chack, Mukandpur, Dhanni- Bakhta, Marheen, Chann Arorian and Dungara of District Kathua.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)