AP govt starts direct purchase of paddy from farmers amid Covid-19 lockdown

State's intervention provides interim platform for farmers to sell their Rabi produce at MSP and avoid distress sales when all market yards are shut

The Andhra Pradesh government has started purchasing paddy being harvested in the rabi season just as it had announced the measure late last month in view of the ongoing lockdown.

The government's intervention provides an interim platform for farmers to sell their Rabi produce at the assured minimum support price (MSP) of respective crops as all the agriculture market yards are shut as part of the steps being taken against the spread of coronavirus pandemic in the state. The move would also preempt distress sales that would possibly drive the prices below the MSP, according to the government.

Farmers have sold 4,773