Madhya Pradesh Cooperation Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang on Friday, 31 July directed state officials to ensure smooth, disruption-free procurement of moong and urad crops across the state, warning that no farmer should face inconvenience during the ongoing purchase season. The directive came during a high-level review meeting of the Cooperation Department in Bhopal.

Key Directives from the Review Meeting

Sarang instructed officials to operate in mission mode to strengthen procurement infrastructure, improve storage facilities, and enhance cooperative banking services. He specifically ordered adequate availability of gunny bags at all procurement centres to prevent process disruptions.

'No farmer should face any inconvenience during the procurement of moong and urad. All necessary arrangements should be made at procurement centres, and adequate availability of gunny bags should be ensured so that the procurement process continues without disruption,' Sarang said.

Where warehouses have reached full capacity, the minister directed officials to make alternative storage arrangements — including shifting produce to warehouses in other districts to ensure timely lifting.

Background: Farmer Protests Triggered the Crackdown

The review meeting follows days of farmer protests in Bhopal and several other districts over delays in moong procurement. Farmers had alleged inadequate arrangements at procurement centres, a shortage of storage space, and prolonged waiting periods due to delays in lifting their produce.

In response to the protests, the state government had already raised the procurement quota for moong under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) rate from 25 per cent to 60 per cent — a significant policy shift aimed at easing farmer distress.

Cooperative Banking and Rural Development Push

Beyond procurement, Sarang directed officials to install micro-ATMs in dairy cooperative societies in a phased manner to strengthen cooperative banking in rural areas. Cooperative banks were also instructed to appoint nodal officers, introduce attractive deposit schemes, and encourage cooperative societies to route banking transactions through cooperative banks.

'Cooperation is a strong foundation for farmers' welfare and rural development. All schemes should be implemented in a transparent, effective and time-bound manner,' the minister said.

Oversight and Implementation Framework

To ensure accountability, Sarang asked officials to conduct weekly reviews for time-bound implementation of government programmes. He also reviewed progress under the Chief Minister's Public Welfare Scheme and the 'Sahkarita Mein Sahkar' campaign during the same meeting.

With procurement season in full swing, the government's ability to follow through on these directives — particularly on storage capacity and gunny bag supply — will determine whether farmer grievances are effectively addressed in the weeks ahead.