- A team of Maharashtra MLAs and officials arrived to study Chhattisgarh’s agricultural development model.
- Paddy procurement is not beneficial for the government, but the welfare of farmers is the only objective: Food Minister Shri Dayal Das Baghel
- Praised the token system, integrated command control system including payment of paddy to farmers within 72 hours
- In-depth discussion on paddy procurement system with Food Minister and members of Maharashtra study team
A team of Maharashtra government legislators and officials, who came to study Chhattisgarh’s paddy procurement system, said that they would study the paddy procurement model in detail and suggest that the Maharashtra government adopt this entire system. Dr. Parinay Phuke, chairman of the legislative party committee, said that they would also submit a report to the government to adopt Chhattisgarh’s paddy procurement system. Chhattisgarh’s paddy procurement is truly farmer-friendly. The representatives praised the systems in place from farmer registration to sale, such as the online token system, electronic weighing, systematic monitoring, gunny bag procurement, and the Integrated Command and Control Center established to prevent leakages and irregularities in the paddy procurement system, including the nearest paddy production centers.
It is noteworthy that under the chairmanship of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Shri Dayal Das Baghel, a meeting was held today in the conference hall of Naveen Vishram Bhavan located in Atal Nagar Nava Raipur with a delegation of MLAs and officials from Maharashtra who had come to study the Chhattisgarh paddy procurement system. In the meeting, Food Minister Shri Dayal Das Baghel said that paddy procurement is not a profitable deal for the government, but the welfare of the farmers is its only objective. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, our government is working diligently to provide facilities to the farmers. The policy decisions taken by our government have increased the economic prosperity of the farmers of the state and have changed their lifestyle. He gave detailed information regarding the paddy procurement system.
The paddy procurement system was discussed in detail in the meeting. During the discussion, Minister Mr. Baghel provided detailed information regarding the paddy procurement system in Chhattisgarh, schemes being implemented in the interest of farmers, reforms being carried out in the agricultural sector, and efforts being made to strengthen the rural economy. Minister Mr. Baghel said that Chhattisgarh is an agricultural state and a large population here depends on farming. The state government is continuously working to increase the income of farmers, make agriculture profitable, and strengthen the rural economy. On this occasion, he welcomed the delegation by presenting them with mementos.
Food Minister Mr. Dayaldas Baghel stated that paddy procurement is not a profitable deal for the government, but rather a priority for the government. The paddy procurement system is completely linked to the interests of farmers. Mr. Baghel stated that paddy is being procured from farmers in the state at the rate of Rs. 3100 per quintal. The state government has procured approximately 141 lakh metric tons of paddy in the Kharif marketing year 2025-26, which is one of the largest paddy procurement campaigns in the country. He said that approximately 2740 paddy procurement centers are operating across the state for the convenience of farmers.
Food Minister Shri Dayaldas Baghel informed the delegation about various schemes implemented by the state government for the benefit of farmers, including the Krishak Unnati Yojana. He stated that the state government is committed to making farming more profitable and ensuring a steady increase in farmers’ income. Along with agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and other income-generating activities are also being promoted, thereby increasing the income of rural families.
During the discussion, members of the Maharashtra MLA delegation pointed out that a large number of farmers cultivate paddy in the four Maharashtra districts bordering Chhattisgarh. They stated that Chhattisgarh’s paddy procurement system, support for farmers, and administrative management are highly effective and exemplary. Efforts made in the state to provide farmers with better prices for their produce and simplify the procurement process are commendable.
The delegation members stated that Chhattisgarh’s rice procurement model is a successful example of economic empowerment of farmers. They called for studying various aspects of this model and promoting similar efforts in the rice-producing areas of Maharashtra.
On this occasion, Maharashtra MLA Dr. Parinay Phuke, Mr. Vinod Agarwal, Mr. Raju Karemore and Mr. Sanjay Puram, Chhattisgarh Markfed Chairman Mr. Shashikant Dwivedi, MD Markfed Mr. Jitendra Shukla along with senior officials of Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra were present.