The arrival of Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2020-21 has already commenced and Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes as was done in previous seasons.

Paddy procurement through FCI and other government agencies for KMS 20-21 has picked up fast in some of the procuring regions like Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and J&K. It is expected to start in other procuring states soon. Upto 13.10.2020, the progressive procurement of paddy has crossed 55.61 LMT, procured through over 4.80 Lac farmers with MSP value of ₹10,500.72 Crores.

Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 41.67 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds for Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra (the perennial crop) for the State of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under Price Support Scheme (PSS) so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuringagencies.

Upto 13.10.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 669.74 MT of Moong and Urad having MSP value of Rs. 4.82 crores benefitting 611 farmers in Tamil Nadu Maharashtra and Haryana. Similarly, 5089 MT of copra (the perennial crop) having MSP value of Rs. 52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu . In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.

The Procurement of seed cotton (Kapas) during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 has started from 1^st October, 2020 and cumulative procurement as on 14^th October, 2020 by Cotton Corporation of India has reached a quantity of 63262 bales under MSP for a value of Rs 17860.56 lakh benefitting 13077 farmers.

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APS/SG