Agriculture Ministry approves procurement of 1 lakh tonne potatoes from Uttar Pradesh farmers

NEW DELHI: The Agriculture ministry has approved the procurement of potato under market intervention scheme (MIS) in Uttar Pradesh for the crop season 2016-17.

A maximum quantity of one lakh tonne of potato would be procured under the scheme by the state agency, said a press release issued by the ministry.

Farmers will be given payment for their produce through non-cash transaction and receipts for sales must be through banking channel only, preferably through demand draft, it said.

"The purchase will be made at Rs 4,870 per tonne. The ministry will provide an additional Rs 1217.50 per tonne or actual whichever is less for overhead expenses, such as transportation charges, mandi tax and godown charges,"said the press statement.

The MIS will be implemented by the state agency, it said. The potatoes will be purchased from the cooperative societies, farmers organizations or directly from the farmers to eliminate the possibility of middlemen taking advantage of the scheme, said the Agriculture ministry release.

It further added that the procured stocks will be disposed of in the open market to ensure maximum realizable price. "If necessary, this can also be sold to processing units within the state. The state agency would also make efforts to export the procured potatoes after processing,"it said.

In order to avoid recycling, the stock would not be sold in the same market / state from where it has been procured during the period of the scheme. However, if the prices are better it can also be sold, locally.