Madhya Pradesh, Mar 12: The Centre has approved 100 per cent procurement of tur (pigeon pea) from farmers in Madhya Pradesh in a move aimed at protecting growers from any fall in market prices and ensuring income stability, officials said on Thursday.
The decision was taken during a meeting between Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, where key issues related to agriculture and rural development in the state were discussed.
According to an official statement, Chouhan handed over a formal approval letter to Yadav confirming the Centre’s decision to procure the entire tur production from farmers in the state.
“Farmers growing tur in Madhya Pradesh will be assured of full government procurement of their produce, eliminating the risk of price fall in the market and ensuring stability in their income,” the statement said.
During the meeting, the Union minister also approved the state government’s proposal under the price difference payment scheme for mustard procurement and directed concerned departments to expedite the payment process.
The high-level discussion also covered additional targets for moong and urad under the pulses mission and reviewed the implementation of several key central schemes, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Grameen, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
“In this high-level discussion, decisions providing major relief to Madhya Pradesh were taken on several subjects, including the price difference scheme, pulse-oilseed mission, MGNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Grameen and rural roads,” the statement added.
Officials said the meeting also addressed issues related to price difference payments for mustard and soybean, soil health and fertility programmes, and wage and material payments under MGNREGA.
Chouhan directed officials to prioritise pending cases related to Madhya Pradesh to ensure timely relief for farmers, labourers and the rural poor.
“Officials have been asked to resolve pending issues at the earliest so that farmers, labourers and rural poor in the state receive the intended benefits without delay,” the statement said.
