Raipur, Oct 10 (NationPress) In a significant move, the Chhattisgarh Cabinet has given the green light to start the procurement of paddy for the Kharif marketing year 2025–26 at a price of Rs 3,100 per quintal.

This program, which is set to kick off on November 15, aims to assist over 2.5 million farmers throughout the state. The procurement process will run until January 31, 2026, allowing for a maximum purchase of 21 quintals per acre.

Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao shared with the media following the cabinet meeting that a strong administrative framework will be established to deter the diversion and recycling of paddy.

Farmers can expect to receive their payments within six to seven days, promoting transparency and operational efficiency.

To streamline the procedure, the government has launched an online token system via the “Tuhar Hath” mobile application, enabling farmers to arrange their paddy sales without enduring long waits at procurement centers.

In a bid to further enhance transparency, e-KYC registration has been made compulsory on the AgriStake portal of the Ministry of Agriculture. This initiative seeks to prevent duplication and ensure the accurate identification of authentic farmers.

The registration deadline is set for October 31, 2025.

A digital crop survey covering 23 lakh hectares has been completed, facilitating accurate online mapping of paddy land.

Since October 2, data from digital surveys and manual Girdawari has been presented in Gram Sabhas across 20,000 villages, enhancing public accountability.

To guarantee that only legitimate farmers can sell their produce, biometric verification will be employed during procurement.

The state has established 2,739 procurement centers, and committees overseeing these centers will earn an incentive of Rs 5 per quintal for maintaining zero moisture in the procured paddy.

Moreover, arrangements are in place to ensure an adequate supply of both new and old jute bags for the procurement process.

The Food Department of the Government of India has set a target of 73 lakh metric tonnes of rice for the Central pool from Chhattisgarh.

For the first time, the state will create an Integrated Command and Control Center at the Markfed office to supervise procurement activities and prevent recycling. District-level control rooms will also be established to bolster oversight. Special checking teams will be formed at the district level to thwart illegal inflow of paddy from neighboring states.

Additionally, physical verification of paddy lifting and transportation will be conducted to ensure cost-effective and transparent logistics. This comprehensive strategy illustrates the state government's dedication to farmer welfare, technological integration, and transparent governance in agricultural procurement.