Assam plans to incentivise entrepreneurs to set up rice mills

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a review meeting with Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department and discussed various aspects regarding augmenting paddy procurement and ensuring MSP to state’s farmers for their produce.

In the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the department to explore ways to increase paddy procurement from the state farmers and he said the matter of providing a working capital to Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board (ASAMB) for augmenting paddy procurement, so that the state can fill the gap of nearly 2 lakh metric tonnes in paddy requirement from its own production, would be considered.

Sarma also discussed various issues regarding setting up mills in the districts with paddy yield and incentivising local entrepreneurs to set up mills in their areas so that farmers can find mills for their paddy without travelling too much distance. FCI officials present at the meeting informed that the organisation follows strict guideline regarding moisture content in purchasing paddy and the Chief Minister directed the F&CS department to explore ways for placing dryers near Paddy Procurement Centres (PCCs) to reduce paddy’s moisture level.