Amaravati, June 26 (Hydnow): Despite several ongoing transport restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing norm in place, the MARKFED of the state has created history by procuring 7,83,246 MT of crops worth Rs 2,571 Crore during the Rabi season. This has benefited over 2.35 lakh farmers in the state. Following the instructions given by the Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, MARKFED had formulated an innovative procurement strategy of decentralizing the procurement process. It has set up more than 1,000 procurement centres spread across Andhra Pradesh which have enabled quick procurement while reducing significant transportation for the farmers.
The Special Commissioner of Agricultural Marketing PS Pradyumna said, “MARKFED has done the highest quantity of procurement in its history in Rabi season despite the lockdown conditions. We have initiated the decentralized procurement process to enable procurement easy for farmers while maintaining social distance and curtailing transportation. More than 1,000 procurement centres have been registered with us. At a time when the other states are facing various issues, we at MARKFED, however, have successfully supplied fertilizers to farmers for Kharif as well as for Rabi seasons”.
Out of the total procurement of 7,70,386 MT by MARKFED, Maize procurement stood on the top with 3,97,123 MT worth Rs 699 Crore followed by Bengal Gram at 1,78,013 MT worth Rs 868 Crore, Jower at 1,09,424 MT worth Rs 279 Crore, Red Gram at 60,020 MT worth Rs 348 Crore, Turmeric at 24,842 MT worth Rs 170 Crore and Onion at 957 MT worth Rs 74 Lakhs respectively. (Hydnow)