Major relief for Odisha farmers: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan approves procurement of five crops

Newdelhi:22/4/26:Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in a virtual meeting today at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, with Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister, and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh, took swift and positive decisions on the state’s demands, granting key approvals for procurement of moong, urad, groundnut, sunflower, and mustard. The total MSP (Minimum Support Price) value of these approvals will exceed Rs. 1,428.31 crore. In the meeting, Shri Chouhan clearly stated that no shortfall will be allowed in assisting Odisha’s farmers, but the procurement process must be transparent, honest, and directly from farmers.

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that farmers should receive the benefits of Minimum Support Price on time through a transparent system, so that actual producer farmers get direct relief. In the meeting, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the state’s demands for agricultural produce procurement with Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister. After considering the proposals sent by the state government, production estimates, and procurement needs, Shri Shivraj Singh decided to approve procurement from the Centre for five major crops.

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh approved Odisha’s demand for 34,492 metric tonnes of moong, with an MSP value of Rs. 302.42 crore. Approval was given for 1,19,387 metric tonnes of urad, with an MSP value of Rs. 931.21 crore. Similarly, approval was granted for 20,219 metric tonnes of groundnut, with an MSP value of Rs. 146.85 crore.

For sunflower, deeming the demand for 2,210 metric tonnes appropriate, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh provided approval, with an MSP value of Rs. 17.06 crore. Likewise, in the case of mustard, Shri Chouhan approved Odisha’s demand for 4,964 metric tonnes, with an MSP value of Rs. 30.77 crore.

This entire process is proposed under PM-AASHA for 90 days, and the state government is already working on a PoS-based procurement system. During the meeting, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed particular satisfaction regarding sunflower cultivation and said that this crop was gradually disappearing from many areas; hence, its continuation and growth in Odisha is encouraging. He assured the state government that the Centre will provide all possible support to increase the area and production of sunflowers, and scientific and technical assistance will also be provided if needed.

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh also emphasised that continuous monitoring of the procurement system is essential to prevent middlemen from benefiting at any level and ensure that only actual farmers’ produce is procured at Minimum Support Price. He said that if procurement is ensured with transparency and honesty, Odisha’s farmers will receive real and substantial benefits. Shri Chouhan urged the state government to ensure that procurement is entirely from farmers, transparent, and that a system be established to prevent traders from exploiting farmers. He stated that the central government stands fully committed to assisting Odisha’s farmers.