Lucknow: Against the set target of 60 lakh metric tonnes, the state procured 62.30 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the Kharif marketing season, which ended on Feb 28.“In return, nearly Rs 15,000 crore was paid to 10.53 lakh farmers. The procurement was carried out through 4,869 procurement centres across the state,” a state govt spokesperson said. The procurement rates were Rs 2,369 per quintal for common grade and Rs 2,389 per quintal for Grade-A paddy. Payments were made directly into farmers’ bank accounts through DBT within 48 hours. This system eliminated the role of middlemen and ensured timely payments to farmers. A total of 12,82,892 farmers registered to sell their paddy. According to the food and civil supplies department, an OTP-based single registration system was implemented for paddy sales. Procurement continued until Jan 31 in the divisions of Western Uttar Pradesh and in districts including Hardoi, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Sitapur. Procurement continued until Feb 28 in the divisions of Chitrakoot, Kanpur, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Devipatan, Basti, Azamgarh, Varanasi, Mirzapur, Prayagraj, as well as in the districts of Lucknow, Raebareli, and Unnao.
