Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Madhya Pradesh has had record production and procurement of wheat, thanks to hard work of farmers. It assumes greater importance in view of Corona crisis, he added.
Chouhan has said that the farmers of those districts where wheat procurement has been delayed due to Corona crisis, need not worry, as procurement will continue till May 31 there.
Madhya Pradesh has smashed all previous records of wheat production due, mainly to hard work of farmers, he said.The Chief Minister, in a message to the farmers today said that the situation was very difficult two months ago with no arrangements for wheat procurement in place. In a very short period the state government has made all necessary arrangements for wheat procurement in a systemic manner.Despite the adverse conditions arising out of Corona pandemic the state has registered a record wheat production and the government has made record procurement.
The Chief Minister said that two months ago there were no arrangements for wheat procurement in the state. From April 16 to May 25, total 114.70 lakh MT i.e.11.47 crore quintals of wheat has been procured from 156.03 lakh farmers. Private Mandis have also been opened. Option of E-trading has been made available. In places where wheat is yet to be procured, SMSs will be sent to farmer and procurement will continue till May 31 there, he said.
Chouhan has urged the farmers to reach procurement centres only after receiving the SMS and to observe social distancing there. They should wear face mask or towel to cover the mouth and nose for safety against Corona. They should also maintain a distance of two yards from each other.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has taken several important steps towards welfare of farmers.The state government has taken the initiative of paying last year’s contribution of insurance for 15 lakh farmers amounting to Rs 2200 crore. This facilitated payment of Rs. 2900 crore crop insurance amount to farmers.
It was decided to pay insurance amount for year 2019-20. It cleared the docks for payment of over Rs 4,000 crores to farmers. Chouhan informed that under Pradhan Mantri Kisn Yojana a sum of Rs 1362 crore has been released to 68.13 lakh farmers.
Chouhan said that last year crop loans on zero percent interest were given to farmers. The last date for their repayment has been extended upto May 31. This has entailed a financial burden of Rs 55 crore on the government.
