New Delhi, Oct 6 : Nearly 30,000 farmers have benefited from paddy procurement in the Kharif season this year so far, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said today.

“The paddy procurement has recently commenced in Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2021-22 at MSP from farmers, as was done in previous years,” a government statement said.

The statement said around 2,87,552 MT of Paddy has been procured by October 5, benefiting 29,907 farmers with MSP value of Rs 563.60 crore.

Out of this total, 1,46,509 MT paddy has been procured in Haryana and 1,41,043 MT paddy has been procured in Punjab, the statement said.

The statement added that for the Kharif season, paddy procurement in 2020-21 has almost concluded and around 894.24 LMTs of paddy which includes both Kharif and Rabi crops have been procured by October 5. Last year’s corresponding purchase was 768.70 LMT.

“About 131.14 Lac farmers have benefited from KMS 2020-21 procurement Operations with an MSP value of Rs. 1,68,832.78 Crore. Paddy procurement reached an all-time high level, surpassing the previous high of 770.93 LMT in KMS 2019-20,” the statement said.(UNI)