Maharashtra Tur farmers to benefit as govt approves 3.37 lakh tonnes procurement worth Rs 2,696 crore

The Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday approved the procurement of 3.37 lakh metric tonnes of Tur (Arhar) in Maharashtra under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), with a total financial outlay of approximately Rs 2,696 crore . The decision aims to support farmers by ensuring that they receive the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce, while also reducing the involvement of middlemen.

At a high-level meeting with Maharashtra Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal , Chouhan discussed the arrangements for procurement and provided detailed guidance to NAFED, NCCF, and state officials to ensure that the process is smooth, transparent, and effective. He emphasised that, although this move imposes a significant financial burden on the government, it reflects the commitment of the central leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the welfare of farmers across the country.

Chouhan stressed that it is crucial for procurement to be conducted directly from farmers , as this ensures that the benefits reach genuine producers rather than intermediaries. He directed the officials to adopt modern technology for farmer registration and monitoring , ensuring transparency at every stage. He also instructed that the number of procurement centres should be increased wherever necessary so that farmers do not face any inconvenience during the process.

The meeting saw active participation from Union Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi and other senior officials, who deliberated on measures to strengthen coordination between central agencies and the state government. By involving NAFED and NCCF closely with the state authorities, the procurement process is expected to be more efficient and farmer-friendly.

With these arrangements, the government aims to safeguard the interests of Tur farmers in Maharashtra while maintaining a transparent and effective procurement system , reflecting a continued focus on agricultural welfare and direct support to farmers.