Dir Agriculture (J) reviews preparedness for wheat procurement operations

Jammu: In view of the approaching harvesting season, Director Agriculture Production & Farmers welfare, Jammu, K.K. Sharma, Thursday reviewed the preparedness for procurement of wheat produce during Rabi Marketing Season, 2022-23.
The meeting held a detailed discussion on the modalities and the participating officers were asked to facilitate smooth and timely procurement of wheat by the Food Corporation of India directly from producers through DBT.
The Director maintained that the purpose of opening these procurement centres was to save the farmers from distress sale of their produce and ensure that they get a minimum support price of Rs 2015/Quintals as notified by the Ministry for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. He stressed on updating the crop and farmers related data on the procurement portal (FEAST) developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC).
Other issues discussed included arrangement for opening additional procurement mandies, extension of operational duration of mandies, uniform cleaning charges besides smooth supply of gunny bags, logistic support and other necessary facilities at procurement mandies by the Food Corporation of India in coordination with the Agriculture department.
The Director informed the meeting that estimated procurement of 35000 Metric Tons of wheat is being expected during the current Rabi Marketing Season. He enjoined upon all concerned departments to work in coordination to solve all procurement related issues to facilitate the farmers of Jammu division.
It was announced that the decision to open 11 Wheat Procurement Centers (Mandies) in Jammu district, 8 in Kathua and 1 Wheat Procurement Centers in Samba district has already been taken.
Joint Director Agriculture ( Inputs) Jammu, A. S. Reen, Joint Director Agriculture (Marketing),Mahesh Verma,DM FCI, Jammu, Parveen Kumar Gautam, Scientist E, NIC Jammu, Sunil Koul, Deputy Director FCS & CA, Anil Sharma, Manager (QC) FCI, Jammu, Rakesh Kumar, Manager (QC) FCI, Gopal Krishan Sharma,besides CAOJammu, Arvind Baru and CAO Kathua, Vijay Upadhay, attended the meeting.