Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Chhattisgarh has recorded the highest procurement of paddy of 144.92 lakh tonnes of paddy from 24.72 lakh farmers, a record for the first time in the history of the state since its formation.

In the current year, 26.85 lakh farmers of the state had registered themselves to sell paddy. The registered paddy area was 33.51 lakh hectares.

The procurement has been done from November 1 to February 04. The target for procurement of paddy was 130 lakh tonnes for the current kharif season. It is 37.39 lakh tonnes more than the previous paddy procurement. Last year, 107.53 lakh tonnes of paddy was purchased. Against the procurement, Rs 30,68,081 crore has been paid to the farmers.

The government purchased paddy from farmers at the rate of 21 quintals per acre. Paddy has been purchased from farmers at the rate of Rs 3,100 per quintal. At present support price has been paid to the farmers. Soon the difference amount will be paid to the farmers.

The Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai had extended the period of paddy procurement from January 31 to February 4. More than 19,000 farmers have benefited from the extended period for paddy procurement. Between February 1 and February 4, 2.69 lakh tonnes of paddy was purchased.

Parallel to the arrangements for paddy procurement, the work of custom milling is also on at a fast pace. Out of 144.92 lakh tonnes of paddy procured, DO has been issued for lifting of 105.36 lakh tonnes of paddy, against which 98.41 lakh tonnes of paddy has been lifted by the millers.