FCI procures over 100 tonnes paddy in Pondy

Puducherry, Jan 18 (UNI) The Food Corporation of India (FCI), which began paddy procurement on January 12, had so far collected over 100 tonnes directly from farmers in the Union Territory, Minister for Agriculture V Vaithilingam said here today.

Talking to newspersons here this evening, Mr Vaithilingam said in order to give the farmers a good price for their produce, the FCI had agreed to procure paddy directly from them.

The procurement was done through regulatory market at Kannikoil, Thattanchavady, Madagadippattu, Koonichampett and Karaikal.

The minimum support price was fixed at Rs 610 per quintal for fine variety and Rs 580 for ordinary. Apart from this, the farmers would get an incentive of Rs 40 per quintal.

Stating that the wet condition of paddy should not be above 17 per cent, the Minister said equipments were installed at all regulatory markets to identify this.

Arrangements are made to enable the rice mills here to purchase paddy from the farmers on behalf of FCI and to supply rice to it. He said paddy would be procured at the regulatory markets only up to Friday next and there after the farmers would have to supply the produce at the FCI godowns here.

UNI