AP Procures 7,70,386 MT Of Grains Worth Rs 2,571 Crore

Despite several ongoing transport restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic and consequent social distancing norms in place, the MARKFED of Andhra Pradesh created history by procuring 7,83,246 MT of crops worth Rs 2,571 crore during the Rabi season.

This has benefited over 2.35 lakh farmers in the state.

Following the instructions given by Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, MARKFED had formulated a strategy of decentralizing the procurement process. It set up more than 1,000 procurement centres spread across Andhra Pradesh which enabled quick procurement while reducing transportation significantly for the farmers.

Special Commissioner of Agricultural Marketing P S Pradyumna said, "MARKFED has done the highest quantity of procurement in its history in the Rabi season despite the lockdown conditions. We initiated the decentralized procurement process to make procurement easy for farmers while maintaining social distance and curtailing transportation. More than 1,000 procurement centres have been registered with us. At a time when the other states are facing various issues, we at MARKFED have successfully supplied fertilizers to farmers for the Kharif as well as the Rabi seasons."

Of the total procurement of 7,70,386 MT, maize procurement stood on top with 3,97,123 MT worth Rs 699 crore. This was followed by bengal gram at 1,78,013 MT worth Rs 868 crore, jowar at 1,09,424 MT worth Rs 279 crore, red gram at 60,020 MT worth Rs 348 crore, turmeric at 24,842 MT worth Rs 170 crore and onion at 957 MT worth Rs 74 lakh.