Kathua: Vice Chairman, Kissan Advisory Board, Daljeet Singh Chib today said that the state government was keen to enable the farmers to get due value of their produce and for this it has increased the number of procurement centres to facilitate the stakeholders.

He was speaking after inaugurating a Paddy Procurement Centre at Palli, Kathua, here today.

During his visit, Vice-Chairman inaugurated six Paddy  Procurement Centers at Bhajwal, Palli, Nagri, Chann-Arorian, Airwan and Sanji Morh in the district.

The Vice Chairman said that the motive behind increasing the procurement centre was to ensure that farmers be provided at least Minimum Support Price (MSP) at their doorsteps and discourage exploitation by middle man. He also informed that Government has approved rate of Rs.1550 and Rs.1590 for China and Rattna paddy respectively  which will be procured by the Food Corporation of India.  He said the MSP will help farmers to get competitive price from market hence providing more value of their produce. He said government is eyeing on procuring maximum paddy and wheat crop to lower down its dependency on other states.

MLA Kathua Rajeev Jasrotia, while speaking on the occasion, said that Kathua district is one of the main contributory of paddy crop in the state and need was felt to make procurement process easy and farmer friendly. He said Kathua district will have 7 procurement centers for procuring paddy crop. He also announced 5 lakh for each procurement center out of his constituency for strengthening infrastructure. He said inter-department coordination is a key to minimize the problems of the farmers who deserve best value of the hard-earned crop produce.

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