Staff Reporter
The Government of Madhya Pradesh has seen a significant increase in soybean production over the past years, and the procurement of the crop will continue to support farmers. In a recent review meeting held at the Chief Minister’s residence, the state government discussed its plans to not only continue soybean procurement but also encourage the production of pulses and oilseeds among farmers.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav emphasized the importance of horticultural crops, noting that they offer greater profit potential. He instructed officials to formulate a plan to encourage farmers to shift towards horticultural farming through discussions and engagement with the farming community.
The Chief Minister also stressed the need for quick payment to farmers after the procurement of soybean. He directed that the entire process be carried out efficiently, ensuring that farmers face no difficulties, including issues related to the availability of storage bags. The procurement process should also protect the harvested crops from adverse weather conditions, including hail and rain. sssThe procurement process for soybean started on October 25 and is scheduled to conclude by December 31, 2024. By December 26, over 2 lakh farmers had sold their soybean, with approximately 5.89 lakh metric tons procured. The state anticipates a total of around 6.5 lakh metric tons by the end of the procurement period. The highest procurement was seen in the Bhopal division, with over 180,198 metric tons, followed by Ujjain division with 149,974 metric tons, Sagar division with 93,495 metric tons, and Narmadapuram division with 93,287 metric tons.
The State Government has set the support price for soybean at Rs 4,892 per quintal, and so far, Rs 1,957.1 crore has been paid to farmers as part of the procurement payments.