Before the procurement of Rabi crops in 2022-23, the Madhya Pradesh government has simplified the process of selling agricultural produce by allowing farmers to reserve a slot online and receive money straight into their bank accounts linked to their Aadhar numbers.
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the Principal Secretary for Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection, who held a divisional-level meeting in Indore on Friday to review ongoing preparations for Rabi crops procurement 2022-23.
The meeting which begins on March 25, asked collectors and other senior officials from all eight districts to ensure that farmers link their Aadhar numbers with their bank accounts as a condition to sell their crops to the state government at Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Farmers can now reserve a slot online to sell their crops at their leisure, whereas previously, sellers had to wait for an SMS to attend a Mandi/procurement center and sell their commodities on a specific day.
"As a result, farmers may now choose a nearby procurement center, day, and time to sell their crops by booking a slot online," the PS said.
He added that all collectors have been directed to ensure availability of 50% bags before starting Rabi crops procurement in 2022-23.
"Mandis are paying good prices to purchase wheat crops, while the requirement of Aadhar number-based registration could be the key reasons for it," he said, referring to a lower number of farmers registering in Rabi crops procurement 2022-23 than the previous year.
He went on to say that more rice is being imported for mills in the Indore division to make rice bran oil, which is used as cooking oil.
According to the senior official, the government is considering connecting fair pricing shops with MP Online, Common Service Center, and other services. The senior officials also considered providing free Wi-Fi, banking correspondents, and the sale of 5kg gas cylinders.
