Farmers must be encouraged to produce pulses and oilseeds : CM Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that there has been a significant increase in soybean production in Madhya Pradesh over the past few years. He assured that the government will continue to procure soybean to support farmers. Additionally, efforts will be made to encourage farmers to cultivate pulses and oilseed crops, with plans being formulated in consultation with them. Dr. Yadav also emphasized the higher profitability of horticulture crops and urged farmers to consider diversifying towards horticulture production. He shared these insights during a review meeting on soybean procurement held at the Chief Minister’s residence on Friday. Cooperative Minister Shri Vishwas Kailash Sarang, Farmer Welfare and Agricultural Development Minister Shri Aidal Singh Kansana, Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Rajesh Rajoura, Additional Chief Secretary and Agriculture Production Commissioner Shri Mohammad Suleman, Additional Chief Secretary Cooperative Shri Ashok Varnawal, Principal Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Smt. Rashmi Arun Shami, Secretary Farmer Welfare and Agricultural Development Shri M. Selvendran, and other senior officers were present.

Payment should also be made as soon as possible after procurement

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that procurement from all soybean-producing farmers should be ensured, and payment to them should also be ensured as soon as possible. Farmers should not face any difficulty or problem with gunny bags in procurement. The harvesting and storage of procured soybeans should be done in a systematic manner, and the produce should be protected from hail, frost, and rain.

Soybean procurement to continue till 31st December

In the meeting, Secretary, Farmer Welfare and Agricultural Development informed that soybean procurement is being done in the state from October 25 till December 31. Till December 26, 2 lakh 4 thousand farmers have sold their soybean. Five lakh 89 thousand metric tons of soybean have been procured from these farmers. It is estimated that about 6.5 lakh metric tonnes of soybean will be procured by 31st December. A maximum of 180198.04 lakh metric tonnes of soybean has been procured in the Bhopal division in the state. 149974.54 lakh metric tonnes of soybean have been procured in the Ujjain division, 93495.33 lakh metric tonnes in the Sagar division and 93287.44 lakh metric tonnes of soybean have been procured in the Narmadapuram division. The support price of soybean is Rs 4 thousand 892 per quintal. So far, Rs 1957.1 crore of procurement amount has been paid to the farmers.