Poonch :In view of the approaching harvesting season, Director Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare, Jammu Anil Gupta Saturday chaired a meeting at Krishi Bhawan Talab Tillo to review and finalize arrangements for the procurement of wheat by FCI marking the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2026–27.
The Director Agriculture emphasized the importance of streamlining procurement operations to ensure a smooth and timely process. He stressed the need for direct procurement from farmers by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism, ensuring transparency and timely payments. He highlighted that the establishment of adequate procurement centres is essential to prevent distress sale and to ensure that farmers receive the notified Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 2,585 per quintal.
Detailed discussions were held on the strategic selection and finalization of procurement centre locations, keeping in view accessibility and convenience for farmers. Emphasis was laid on ensuring necessary infrastructure at procurement mandis, including space, availability of gunny bags, logistical arrangements and other essential facilities.
Key agenda points deliberated during the meeting included uploading of specifications, appointment of MLCs and DNOs, engagement of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in the procurement process, identification and readiness of procurement centres, assessment of current crop conditions and expected wheat arrivals and streamlining of payment systems along with arrangements for gunny bags.
Anil Gupta urged that cleaning charges be fixed by the Deputy Commissioners and also stressed the need for extensive awareness among farmers regarding the Minimum Support Price offered by FCI and the prescribed commodity specifications to ensure maximum participation in the procurement process.
It was informed that a total of 21 wheat procurement centres (mandis) will be established across Jammu Division, including 11 in Jammu district, 9 in Kathua and 1 in Samba. It was jointly discussed in the meeting that procurement operations may start in the last week of April and continue till May 31, 2026, with the provision for extension, if required.
The meeting was attended by Aman Jyoti Sharma Joint Director Agriculture (SLUB/Marketing); Manohar Lal Sharma Chief Agriculture Officer Jammu; Sanjay Kumar Badyal DAO (Ext.) Samba; Vinod Kumar Khajuria DAO (Ext.) Jammu; Raj Singh Sumbria DAO (Ext.) Kathua; Samriti Kumar AGM (QC) FCI RO Jammu; Vikash Kumar Manager (Proc.) FCI RO Jammu; Mukesh Verma, Manager (Proc.), FCI DO Jammu and Sanjeev Khajuria, I/c Procurement Cell, DoAJ along with other officers from the Directorate of Agriculture Jammu.
