Gandhinagar: The purchase of kharif crops, including groundnut and soybean, at support prices is in full swing across Gujarat, with the state government achieving a record-breaking purchase of groundnut during this kharif season.

Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel stated, “This year, a record 18.80 lakh hectares were planted with groundnut in Gujarat, which is 2.5 lakh hectares more than last year. To ensure that farmers in Gujarat get fair prices for their crops, Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel launched the purchase of kharif crops at support prices across the state, starting in Banaskantha.”

“The Government of India announced a support price of Rs. 6,783 per quintal (Rs. 1,356.60 per maund) for groundnut, leading to more than 3.72 lakh farmers registering for the sale of groundnut. So far, the state government has purchased a total of 10 lakh metric tonnes of groundnut worth more than Rs. 6,700 crore from over 2.98 lakh farmers at 197 purchase centers. Of this, about 2.32 lakh farmers have received more than Rs. 5,172 crore directly into their bank accounts. This is the first time in Gujarat that farmers have been paid so quickly after the purchase,” the minister added.

The Agriculture Minister also mentioned that the Government of India has announced a support price of Rs. 4,892 per quintal (Rs. 978.40 per maund) for soybean. As a result, more than 24,800 farmers in the state have registered for the sale of soybeans at the support price. So far, over 51,400 metric tonnes of soybean worth more than Rs. 252 crore have been purchased from more than 20,500 farmers at 88 purchase centers. Of this, more than Rs. 210 crore has been paid to about 17,000 farmers.

The purchase of kharif crops from all registered farmers in several talukas of the state has been completed, while the purchase from registered farmers at the remaining purchase centers is continuing at full speed. The minister assured that the purchase from all remaining farmers will be completed by February 8. DeshGujarat