So far in the 2020-21 marketing year, which ends in September, the Centre has purchased a record 873.68 lakh tonnes of paddy for roughly Rs 1.65 lakh billion. An official release claimed that paddy procurement has hit an all-time high, exceeding the previous high of 773.45 lakh tonnes in the KMS (Kharif Marketing Season) 2019-20.
“Approximately 129.03 lakh farmers have already benefited from the ongoing KMS procurement activities with an MSP value of Rs 1,64,951.77 crore,” the statement added.
The purchase of paddy in the current KMS 2020-21 is proceeding well in the procuring states. From October through September, the Kharif marketing season is in effect. To date, the Centre has acquired 873.68 lakh tonnes of paddy (including 707.69 lakh tonnes of Kharif crop and 165.99 lakh tonnes of Rabi crop) compared to 763.01 lakh tonnes in the same period last year.
