Guwahati: For the first time, the Assam government will educate the state’s farmers on selling paddy to government agencies, which will ensure the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and bring an end to the middlemen “raj”, under which farmers have been deprived of fair price for ages.
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday announced that in a bid to sensitise farmers on the paddy procurement drive and to expedite the process, the government will organise a special “gaon sabha” (village gathering) across the state on January 16. He underlined the need for massive awareness among farmers for the success of the paddy procurement initiative. Several government agencies — FCI, AFCSCL, NAFED, NACOF, NCCF and ASAMB — have agreed to procure 10 lakh MT of paddy from the state’s farmers at a MSP of Rs 1,940 per quintal.
“The gaon sabha will be organised on January 16 and would play an important role in making farmers aware of the procurement drive benefits,” he said. The CM also urged the MPs and MLAs to take an active part in the gathering to make the procurement drive successful. “Due to lack of proper procurement mechanism and committed efforts, majority of the paddy produced is procured by middlemen depriving farmers of fair price. So, the state has decided to bring an end to such a situation.”
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday announced that in a bid to sensitise farmers on the paddy procurement drive and to expedite the process, the government will organise a special “gaon sabha” (village gathering) across the state on January 16. He underlined the need for massive awareness among farmers for the success of the paddy procurement initiative. Several government agencies — FCI, AFCSCL, NAFED, NACOF, NCCF and ASAMB — have agreed to procure 10 lakh MT of paddy from the state’s farmers at a MSP of Rs 1,940 per quintal.
“The gaon sabha will be organised on January 16 and would play an important role in making farmers aware of the procurement drive benefits,” he said. The CM also urged the MPs and MLAs to take an active part in the gathering to make the procurement drive successful. “Due to lack of proper procurement mechanism and committed efforts, majority of the paddy produced is procured by middlemen depriving farmers of fair price. So, the state has decided to bring an end to such a situation.”
