Government procurement of paddy in Punjab has increased compared to last year. It has crossed 182 lakh tonnes. Paddy procurement in Punjab, which started on October 1, 2023, will continue till November 30. In terms of paddy purchased for the central pool, Punjab is at number one spot, while Telangana is at number two.
According to the data till November 23 of Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board, 182 lakh 53,987.98 tonnes of paddy has been purchased in the state for the Kharif marketing season 2023-24. Till the same period of last season, 182 lakh 44,453.07 tonnes of paddy was purchased in the state. Thus, an additional 9,534.91 tonnes of paddy has been purchased so far this year. As far as lifting is concerned, so far 166 lakh 12,647.78 tonnes of paddy has been lifted from the mandis.
For the Kharif marketing season 2023-24, the government has fixed the minimum support price (MSP) of ordinary category paddy at Rs 2183 per quintal and the MSP of 'A' grade paddy at Rs 2203. For the central pool, paddy is procured from farmers by government agencies at MSP only.
Paddy crop was destroyed in Punjab due to floods twice this year. Because of this, production was expected to decrease. However, farmers sowed the saplings damaged by the flood for the second and third time. Latest figures of paddy procurement show that there has been no decline in production.