- Preparations in Place to Procure Approximately 20,000 Quintals of Paddy from Over 550 Farmers on the First Day; All Arrangements Finalized at Every Center
- Farmers Selling Less Than 21 Quintals of Paddy per Acre Will Now Also Receive an Input Subsidy of ₹13,839 per Acre; Government Announcement Brings Joy to Farmers
- Arrangements Verified via a 36-Point Checklist, with a Special Focus on Transparent Procurement and Farmer Convenience
- Provisions Ensured for Drinking Water, Weighing Facilities, Gunny Bags (Bardana), Storage, and Technical Infrastructure
In Chhattisgarh, the procurement of paddy at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the Kharif Marketing Year 2026-27 is set to commence on November 15. In preparation for this, all 108 paddy procurement centers in Dhamtari district are fully prepared to welcome farmers. There is great enthusiasm and joy among the farmers as the procurement begins on the occasion of ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ (Tribal Pride Day). On the first day, over 550 farmers in the district have secured tokens to sell their produce, with arrangements made to procure approximately 20,000 quintals of paddy. The district administration has ensured that all necessary facilities are in place to prevent any inconvenience to farmers during the sale of their produce.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the district administration has made comprehensive preparations to ensure a smooth, transparent, and organized process for farmers to sell their paddy at the Minimum Support Price.
The state government has taken a significant decision in the interest of farmers: those who sell less than the prescribed maximum quantity of paddy will now also receive a uniform input subsidy of ₹13,839 per acre. Even if a farmer supplies less than the stipulated maximum limit of 21 quintals per acre, they will still be eligible for this input subsidy. This government decision will provide significant relief to farmers in low-productivity regions, small and marginal farmers, and farming families residing in tribal areas.
In Dhamtari district, under the guidance of Collector Mr. Abinash Mishra, the arrangements at all 108 procurement centers have been inspected and verified using a comprehensive 36-point checklist. This process covered every critical aspect—from basic infrastructure and technical resources to weighing systems, the availability of gunny bags, human resources, and the safe storage of paddy.
- Prioritizing Farmer Convenience: Comprehensive Arrangements at Procurement Centers
All procurement centers in the district are now equipped with essential facilities, including proper sanitation, fencing, power supply, computers, printers, UPS units, generators or inverters, and internet connectivity. To ensure accurate and transparent weighing of paddy, the functionality of electronic weighing scales, traditional weighing equipment, biometric devices, and moisture meters has been thoroughly tested. Furthermore, all weighing instruments have been verified by the Department of Legal Metrology, and adequate supplies of gunny bags, stencils, marking paint, and twine have been arranged.
To ensure a hassle-free experience for farmers, special attention has been given to providing drinking water, first-aid kits, and sufficient personnel—including data entry operators and laborers (hamals). To protect the paddy from rain and moisture, the centers are equipped with raised platforms (chabutras), tarpaulins, ample storage space, and proper drainage systems.
- Focus on FAQ Standards, Monitoring, and Transparency
To ensure the paddy procurement process remains transparent and well-organized, the centers display information regarding the Minimum Support Price (MSP), FAQ (Fair Average Quality) standards, and physical samples of the paddy. Additionally, the appointment of monitoring committees, the installation of CCTV cameras, and the systems for farmer registration have also been verified. The objective of these preparations is to provide farmers with clear information regarding the procurement process and to prevent unnecessary delays or inconvenience while they sell their produce.
- 31,900 gunny bags available at the Amdi procurement center; 1,318 farmers registered
Extensive preparations for procurement have been made at the Amdi paddy procurement center in the district. According to the center’s checklist, a storage area of 2.6380 hectares is available, and a buffer limit of 13,600 quintals has been set. A total of 31,900 gunny bags—comprising 30,000 new bags and 1,900 PDS (Public Distribution System) bags—are available at the center. Additionally, arrangements have been made for five tarpaulins, an inverter, drainage, drinking water, and first-aid facilities.
A total of 1,318 farmers are registered at the Amdi center, and the nearest collection center is located 15 kilometers away. The checklist also notes the receipt of an advance amount of 167,580 rupees to cover the costs of paddy protection and storage.
- Procurement centers set to bustle with farmers starting tomorrow
As the district finalizes its preparations for paddy procurement, the administration has completed the verification of essential facilities across all 108 procurement centers. With the commencement of procurement, the centers will see an influx of farmers, and activities related to the sale of agricultural produce will begin.
The district administration aims to ensure that every registered farmer can sell their produce conveniently, following the prescribed procedures. To this end, arrangements for weighing, quality testing, the provision of gunny bags, storage, and other necessities have been put in place at the procurement centers. The new paddy procurement season in Dhamtari district will begin on November 15, for which all administrative preparations have been completed.