In Rajasthan, the Central government has eased wheat procurement norms for the current Rabi season to assist farmers impacted by unseasonal rains and adverse weather. This decision follows Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s efforts to address farmers’ issues and advocate for corrective actions at the national level. The revised norms are aimed at protecting farmers from financial losses due to weather-related crop damage.
Farmers in regions like Kota-Bundi are set to benefit significantly from this policy change, which offers more procurement flexibility despite a decrease in wheat quality. The new guidelines raise the permissible limit for loss of luster in wheat to 50 percent and increase the limit for shrivelled and broken grains to 15 percent. Additionally, the combined permissible limit for damaged and partially damaged grains is now set at 6 percent, considering the crop quality deterioration caused by recent rain and hail.
The government’s priority remains safeguarding farmers’ interests and ensuring procurement at the Minimum Support Price. By relaxing quality norms, the government aims to boost procurement to prevent farmers from selling their produce at lower prices in the open market. Officials are directed to facilitate smooth procurement operations at mandis throughout the state, with arrangements in place to manage increased arrivals and minimize inconvenience to farmers during the procurement process.
This initiative is expected to directly benefit numerous farmers in Rajasthan, offering them crucial support during a challenging agricultural season. It will also contribute to maintaining stability in the state’s agricultural economy by ensuring that affected produce is accepted within government procurement systems. With procurement activities expected to increase, this move is viewed as a timely intervention to assist farmers and safeguard their livelihoods.
