'Support price to be credited in growers' bank accounts'

The process of purchasing paddy begins in APMC premises in Madikeri

Paddy and maize growers who sell their produce at purchasing centres opened by food and civil supplies corporation under support price scheme of the government will get the amount credited to their bank accounts, for the very first time.

With the government initiating the scheme, the process of purchasing paddy has begun in APMC premises in Madikeri from Thursday. The process will also start in the APMCs at Gonikoppa in Virajpet taluk and Kushalngar in Somwarpet taluk on Friday. The process has been kick started as per the decision taken by the Kodagu deputy commissioner and the district task force.

The Central government has fixed the support price of Rs 1,310 for purchasing one quintal paddy. With the state government too extending financial assistance of Rs 290 per quintal, farmer will get a  total of Rs 1,600 on hand. As maize is grown only in Somwarpet taluk, maize is purchased along with paddy in Kushalnagar APMC. Support price of Rs 1,310 has been fixed for per quintal maize.

At present, the market value of paddy is anywhere between Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,300, while the farmer will get an additional Rs 300 to Rs 500 under the support price scheme. The scheme has undoubtedly brought smiles on the faces of farmers.

For the first time ever, the government has taken a decision to directly transfer the amount to the farmers bank accounts through online. Therefore, every beneficiary farmer should have a bank account, under the scheme.

The farmers with bank accounts, should give the 13 digit RGTS number for availing the benefit. The criteria set for purchasing paddy is that the crop should be clean, hard and free of worms. The beneficiary farmer should also submit a copy of the RTC and quality certificate issued by the technical experts from agriculture department.

Paddy should be packed in a sack with 50 kg capacity and the moisture content of the paddy should be below 17 per cent. Paddy will be purchased in APMCs till March 31, 2014, said Corporation Officer Kuttappa.

Agriculture Department Joint Director Sadashiva said that paddy is grown in 35,000 hectares land in Kodagu district and 70,000 tons yield is expected this year. Maize is grown in 3,000 hectares land and 9,000 tons of yield id expected.

As per the government order, only ‘Bili battha’ will be purchased and ‘athura battha’ will not be purchased.