Bhupinder Hooda criticized delayed procurement, saying farmers sell paddy, millet, and cotton below MSP, losing up to Rs 2,000
Chandigarh
Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Wednesday reviewed preparations for the procurement of kharif pulses and oilseeds, announcing that purchases will take place at more than 100 centres across the state. He stressed that the process should remain smooth, with proper storage facilities and timely supply of gunny bags at mandis.
As per the schedule, ‘moong’ will be procured till November 15 at 38 centres. ‘Arhar’ and ‘urad’ will be purchased in December at 22 and 10 centres, respectively. Groundnut procurement will run from November 1 to December 31 at seven locations, while sesame will be bought in December through 27 centres. Soybean and nigerseed procurement is scheduled between October and November at seven and two markets, respectively.
Principal Secretary (Agriculture) Pankaj Agarwal highlighted a sharp rise in moong production. The area under cultivation increased from 1.09 lakh acres last year to 1.47 lakh acres this season, with yields rising from 300 to 400 kg per acre. As a result, production is expected to jump from 32,715 metric tonnes to nearly 58,717 metric tonnes. Sesame cultivation also doubled to 2,116 acres, with output projected at 446 metric tonnes.
However, concerns remain over other crops. Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda recently criticized the government for delaying procurement of paddy, millet, and cotton. He said farmers are being forced to sell produce below minimum support prices, with paddy fetching Rs 300-400 less per quintal, millet nearly Rs 600 less, and cotton about Rs 2,000 less.
Hooda alleged that after suffering losses from floods, farmers now face another setback due to government inaction.
