Lucknow: Ensuring remunerative prices for farmers’ produce, timely payments and the full prescribed quantity of foodgrains to eligible ration beneficiaries remains the Uttar Pradesh government’s top priority, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Manoj Kumar Pandey said.
He said that under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, the government was strengthening transparency and accountability in agricultural procurement and the Public Distribution System (PDS). Strict action would be taken against irregularities, underweight ration distribution and illegal collection of money.
Paddy procurement and farmers’ payments
Pandey said 5,047 procurement centres were operational across the state against the target of purchasing 65 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the Kharif Marketing Season 2026-27. Procurement began in western Uttar Pradesh on October 12 and in eastern Uttar Pradesh on November 1.
So far, 40,447 metric tonnes of paddy have been procured from 7,230 farmers, against which payments worth ₹50 crore have been made. The minimum support price (MSP) has been fixed at ₹2,441 per quintal for common-grade paddy and ₹2,461 for Grade A.
He said that between 2017-18 and 2025-26, the state procured 528.39 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from 80.39 lakh farmers, paying them ₹99,733.10 crore. This was significantly higher than the 123.61 lakh metric tonnes purchased from 14.87 lakh farmers between 2012-13 and 2016-17, for which ₹17,190.85 crore was paid.
During 2025-26, the state achieved a record procurement of 62.30 lakh metric tonnes against a target of 60 lakh metric tonnes, benefiting 10.53 lakh farmers with payments of ₹14,883 crore.
The minister added that between 2017-18 and 2026-27, wheat procurement reached 265.82 lakh metric tonnes from 55.89 lakh farmers, involving payments of ₹51,550.10 crore.
Support for millet and other crops
The government is also extending MSP benefits to farmers growing millets and other coarse grains. The MSP for bajra has been fixed at ₹2,900 per quintal, with a procurement target of 2.20 lakh metric tonnes and 285 centres operational. So far, 8,716 metric tonnes have been purchased from 2,244 farmers, with ₹20.82 crore paid.
For hybrid jowar, the MSP is ₹4,023 per quintal. Against a procurement target of 50,000 metric tonnes, 95 centres are operational. Procurement so far stands at 347 metric tonnes from 106 farmers, with payments of ₹93 lakh.
The MSP for maize is ₹2,410 per quintal, with 120 procurement centres operating against a target of 15,000 metric tonnes. Between 2018-19 and 2025-26, the state procured 1.74 lakh metric tonnes of maize from 40,322 farmers, paying ₹349.06 crore.
Payments within 48 hours
Pandey said the government had simplified farmer registration and verification procedures for the 2026-27 procurement season. Farmers can register using the details available in their Farmer ID or follow the previous registration procedure if they wish to make corrections.
More than 1.40 lakh farmers have already registered online to sell paddy and coarse grains. Payments for procured produce are being transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS), within a maximum of 48 hours.
Strict monitoring of ration distribution
On the Public Distribution System, the minister said beneficiaries must receive their full entitled quantity of foodgrains. Any instance of underweight distribution or illegal collection of money would invite strict action.
He directed officials to take action against District Supply Officers and inspectors if complaints of illegal recovery from fair-price shop dealers were established. The action, he said, would follow the Chief Minister’s zero-tolerance policy.
Instructions have also been issued to transfer the commission payable to fair-price shop dealers into their bank accounts before Diwali.
8,753 Annapurna buildings completed
The minister said 8,753 Annapurna buildings had been completed across Uttar Pradesh, while construction of another 2,573 was underway. Funds have been released to districts to provide seating arrangements and drinking water, along with jaggery and petha, for beneficiaries visiting these facilities. District magistrates will oversee the arrangements.
He also announced plans to introduce Annapurna community kitchens in agricultural markets and areas with large concentrations of farmers, labourers and economically weaker sections. Meals will be provided at just ₹5, making affordable food accessible to those in need.
Pandey said he was conducting surprise inspections to assess the functioning of procurement centres and ration distribution facilities. Such inspections would be carried out every week to strengthen monitoring and accountability.
Reiterating the department’s commitment, he said ensuring fair prices for farmers, complete ration supplies for the poor and affordable meals for those in need would remain central to the government’s efforts. Any negligence or irregularity in these public welfare services would invite strict action.
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