Varanasi: In a major boost to farmers, wheat procurement in the Varanasi division — which includes Varanasi, Chandauli, Ghazipur, and Jaunpur districts — has recorded a rise of 3,746.88 metric tonnes compared to the previous year. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh government is ensuring that farmers receive fair prices for their produce and are also spared the burden of transportation.
As part of this initiative, wheat is being purchased directly from farmers’ homes, helping them avoid middlemen and additional expenses. Even those farmers who have not completed official verification are being included in the procurement process, showcasing the government’s farmer-friendly approach.
So far, a total of 9,711.59 metric tonnes of wheat has been procured across the four districts in the division. To facilitate this, the government has deployed door-to-door mobile vans to collect wheat directly from farmers.
According to Regional Food Marketing Officer Pradeep Kumar Kushwaha, the government has set a procurement target of 127,500 metric tonnes for Varanasi division this season. Currently, procurement is being carried out at 332 centers established across the region, with the help of seven different agencies. On average, 9,000 quintals of wheat are being procured daily.
One of the key highlights of this year’s drive is that farmers whose registration is pending or incomplete are still eligible to sell up to 100 quintals of wheat without verification. Moreover, the Yogi government has ensured prompt payments, with funds being transferred directly to the farmers’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts within 48 hours of purchase.
The state government has also increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of wheat to ₹2,425 per quintal, up by ₹150 from last year’s rate of ₹2,275. Additionally, an extra ₹20 per quintal is being paid to farmers for cleaning and sieving, further adding to their earnings. To address any issues, the department has also launched a dedicated control room. Farmers facing difficulties can reach out via the helpline number 8858243198. This move by the Uttar Pradesh government not only strengthens the rural economy but also reaffirms its commitment to improving the lives of the state’s food providers.
