Govt ensured higher crop procurement during COVID pandemic: Jitendra Singh

Union minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said government ensured higher crop procurement during COVID-19 pandemic, which is an indication of sensitivity with which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and team led by him are committed to respond to needs of farmer community during crisis times.

Interacting with farmers, panchayat representatives and local activists of peripheral areas of Basohli and Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, he cited figures to state that despite COVID-19, procurement of wheat was 15 per cent higher than last year and about 390 lakh tonnes of wheat was procured throughout country.

“Despite lockdown measures in place, Centre has ensured procurement from doorsteps of farmers,” Minister of State for Personnel said.

He cautioned that some vested interests were spreading myths about ir abolition, which need to be countered at all levels, a statement by personnel ministry said.

Referring to suicides by farmers, Union minister reiterated that with pro-farm measures and new farm laws having placed specific safeguard and security provisions in place, farmers will have a window of relief and will lead to farm prosperity, it said.

He said new measures will usher in a new revolution in farm sector and young generations will take up this vocation as a new and profitable entrepreneur.

Singh said farm reforms introduced by Prime Minister Modi allow liberty to choose crop cost and give farmers freedom to have more buyers and flexibility in choosing price at which y sell ir produce.

He categorically stated that a contract agreement will guarantee farmers to get fixed price.

Moreover, new legislation clearly prohibits sale, lease or mortg of farmers’ land, minister said.

Singh appealed to all activists to reach out to each and every farmer in every vill and explain to him big conspiracy being hatched against him.

This, he said, will enable agricultural community to avail of ermous welfare initiatives introduced by prime minister.

Referring to government initiatives during pandemic for agricultural sector, minister ted that Centre has distributed Rs 75,000 crore for procurement and or welfare measures for farmers.

He said even wheat procurement centres increased threefold during coronavirus crisis and similarly procurement centres for pulses and oilseeds also increased nearly threefold during pandemic, statement said.

Singh reiterated that Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Agricultural Produce and Livestock Market Committee (APMC) will continue and will never be removed at any cost.

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