In a significant move, the Rajasthan state government has announced a bonus for wheat farmers. This year, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat will be INR 2400 per quintal.
A review meeting was held on Tuesday at the Collectorate premises under the chairmanship of District Collector Kanaram to prepare for the purchase of wheat at the support price. The District Collector stated that the portal has been operational since January 20. All farmers are advised to register on time to sell wheat at the MSP. This year, farmers can register once even without crop estimation.
The MSP for wheat has been increased by INR 150 per quintal from last year. The support price for wheat for the 2024-25 distribution season has been set at INR 2275 per quintal. On top of this, the state government is giving a bonus of INR 125 per quintal. Therefore, wheat will be purchased from farmers at INR 2400 per quintal.
The District Collector urged all relevant stakeholders to take steps and make arrangements on time rather than finding solutions at the last minute, so that maximum benefits can be passed on to the farmers. Instructions have been given to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to make the necessary arrangements for distribution, handling, etc., by the end of March as per requirement.
Secretaries of the Mandi Committees have been instructed to provide shade, water, and convenient arrangements for the farmers. DSO Vinod Kumar reported that in the Rabi season of 2023-24, wheat cultivation was done in an estimated 2,17,890 hectares in the district. The yield is expected to be 12.9 metric tons per hectare, which is higher than the 11 lakh 5 thousand 32 metric tons yield of the previous financial year.
FCI’s Regional Manager Abhijeet Chaudhary reported that so far, more than 800 farmers in the district have registered to sell wheat at the MSP. Last year, 13,668 farmers sold wheat at the MSP. This year, it is estimated that 6.50 lakh metric tons of wheat will be sold at the MSP.
The District Collector said that traders are expected to maintain cleanliness, etc., in the market. The Labour Union is expected to cooperate in transporting more than 25% of the incoming wheat directly from the road. The collector emphasized that it is extremely important for farmers to register as early as possible. For this, more publicity will be done through SDOs, Tehsildars, and e-Mitra operators.
