J-K: Kathua farmers receive MSP for wheat
ANI
09 May 2021, 16:55 GMT+10
Kathua (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 9 (ANI): The farmers of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district feel relieved and happy to have government-run wheat procurement centres set up in their district where they sell their produce at the minimum support price of Rs 1,957 per quintal.
Speaking to ANI, Bansi Lal, a Kathua farmer said, "I have been visiting these mandis to sell my wheat produce since last year. the facilities are very good. We are getting good rates. We are able to sell our produce at the MSP rate fixed by the government i.e Rs 1,957 per quintal. Outside these mandis wheat is selling at lower prices, at around Rs 1,750 per quintal."He further said, "These mandis are only source of relief for the farmers because private agencies purchase our produce but at their own rates, on their own terms. They never pay as per the rates fixed by the government, only these mandis do. Farmers of Kathua district are privileged to have these mandis. I would urge the government to open more such mandis in other districts of Jammu and Kashmir. These mandis have proven to be very beneficial for the farmers."Speaking about these mandis, Angrez Singh, another farmer said, "I had brought 100-150 quintal wheat here. Here in the govt run mandis we are getting very good rates for our produce. the facilities available at these mandis are also good. All farmers are allotted numbers. These mandis are providing us a profit margin of around Rs 150 per quintal. This also serves as a benefit for the next crops we sow. This is a very good initiative by the government."This is the first time after the introduction of the three new farm laws that seven wheat procurement centres were set up, where farmers are selling their wheat produce at the minimum support price (MSP) fixed by the Government of India at Rs 1,975 per quintal, said Chief Agriculture Officer, Kathua, Vijay Kumar Upadhaya.