Government of India’s paddy procurement for Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2022-23 is progressing smoothly with the purchase of over 702 lakh metric tonnes of paddy up to February 20, 2023. Over 96 lakh farmers have already benefitted from the ongoing KMS paddy procurement operations with MSP (minimum support price) outflow of Rs. 145,845 crores with the transfer of payment directly into farmers’ accounts, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said on Tuesday.
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All arrangements are in place for hassle-free procurement operations. Rice delivery against the procured paddy has been around 218 LMT in the Central pool up to February 20, 2023. Adequate rice stock is currently available in the Central pool for meeting the requirements of the country.
According to the ministry, for Kharif crops of current KMS 2022-23, a quantity of 765.43 LMT paddy (514 LMT in terms of rice) has been estimated to be procured as against 749 LMT paddy (503 LMT in terms of rice) actually procured during last KMS 2021-22 (Kharif season).
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The estimated procurement of paddy for the Rabi season of 2022-23 is going to be finalised in the forthcoming food secretaries’ meeting to be held on March 01, 2023. With the inclusion of Rabi crops, it is expected that around 900 LMT paddy may be procured during the entire KMS 2022-23, the minister estimates said.
