Centre extends soyabean procurement deadline in Maharashtra, Raj to Jan 31

The government has also permitted additional procurement of 25,000 tonnes from Telangana, which has already reached its initial target of 59,508 tonnes

The Centre has extended the soybean procurement deadline in Maharashtra to January 31, and in Rajasthan to February 4, following requests from state governments, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Monday.

 

The deadline was previously set for January 12 in Maharashtra and January 15 in Rajasthan.

 

The government has also allowed additional procurement of 25,000 tonnes from Telangana, which has already achieved its initial target of 59,508 tonnes.

 

"Procurement is underway. We have extended the deadline for procurement in both Maharashtra and Rajasthan on state governments' requests," Chouhan told reporters here.

 

Nationwide procurement has reached 13.68 lakh tonnes, as against the target of 33.60 lakh tonnes, he said.

 

Maharashtra has the highest procurement target of 14.13 lakh tonnes, followed by Madhya Pradesh at 13.68 lakh tonnes, while Telangana, Karnataka and Rajasthan have lower targets.

 

The procurement is being conducted under the Price Support Scheme at the Minimum Support Price of Rs 4,892 per quintal to support farmers amid lower market prices.

 

Responding to queries about lower procurement, the minister said state governments are responsible for making procurement arrangements.

 

Chouhan said he would conduct weekly Monday meetings at Krishi Bhavan to review crop conditions, procurement progress, price trends and weather conditions.

 

"We will consider extension of the procurement deadline from other states if we receive a request," he added.