Lucknow, October 13: The Uttar Pradesh government today targeted to procure 16 lakh tonnes paddy in this season, 27 per cent lower than the previous year, after drought in many parts of the state affected the crop, and approved its purchase policy.
The state had bought about 22 lakh tonnes of paddy in the 2008-09 season (October-September).
The state Cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Mayawati, gave its go-ahead to the purchase of paddy, which would continue till February-end, at the benchmark price of Rs 950 per quintal for the common variety and Rs 980 per quintal for the high-quality one, official sources said.
The current paddy purchase target, however, could be revised keeping in view the interest of farmers, they added.
Different state agencies, including food department, cooperative federation, state agriculture and industrial corporation, consumer cooperative federation, food and essential commodities corporation and agri-cooperative would be involved in the purchase operation.
Though it was decided that paddy would be purchased directly from farmers, small and marginal farmers can sell their paddy to the state through licenced commission agents who are registered with Mandi Parishads with the approval of the central government.
—Agencies