Uttar Pradesh Sets Paddy Procurement Target of 65 Lakh Tonnes
Source:indiatoday ↗
Why It Matters
Important for UPPSC aspirants tracking state-specific agricultural policies, food grain procurement targets, and governance reforms regarding farmers' payments in Uttar Pradesh.
Summary
The Uttar Pradesh government has established a target of procuring 65 lakh tonnes of paddy for the Kharif marketing season, ensuring streamlined operations and direct online bank payments to farmers within 48 hours to eliminate middlemen and prevent distress sales.
Key Points
- Uttar Pradesh sets a paddy procurement target of 65 lakh tonnes for the Kharif marketing season.
- The state government mandates direct online payments to farmers' bank accounts within 48 hours of grain sale.
- Procurement operations involve establishment of thousands of purchase centres across various districts to protect farmers from distress sales.
- Emphasises transparency, digital monitoring, and streamlining of food grain management in Uttar Pradesh.
Important Terms
Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme
An agricultural policy tool where the government guarantees a floor price for crops to protect farmers from price volatility and distress sales.
UPSC context
Important for GS Paper III (Agriculture - Economics of farming, MSP, PDS). Tests understanding of food security and farmer welfare mechanisms.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) payment system
A welfare mechanism that transfers subsidies and procurement payments directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts, eliminating intermediaries and reducing leakage.
UPSC context
Important for GS Paper II & III (Governance and Economic Development). Tests e-governance, financial inclusion, and leakage-proof subsidy delivery.
Food and Civil Supplies Department UP
The state-level nodal agency in Uttar Pradesh responsible for implementing food security policies, public distribution, and crop procurement operations.
UPSC context
Important for UPPSC Mains (General Studies Paper V & VI - State-specific administration, agriculture, and food security). Tests governance structures in UP.
Static Concepts Connected
What are the central nodal agencies and statutory mechanisms for food grain procurement in India?
- Central Nodal Agency: Nodal Agency: Food Corporation of India (FCI) along with state agencies handles central pool procurement.
- MSP Mechanism: Statutory Support: Government announces Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 22 mandated crops plus sugarcane (FRP).
- DCP Scheme: Decentralized Procurement: DCP scheme allows states to procure, store, and distribute food grains under TPDS directly.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Procurement targets and TPDS food security linkages
UP food grain procurement mechanisms intersect with the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, ensuring subsidized grain availability via targeted public distribution systems (TPDS).
Agri-DBT and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) implementation in agriculture reflects broader fiscal federalism trends, connecting state-level welfare delivery with digital public infrastructure (DPI).
Expect a statement-based question on UP paddy procurement targets, Kharif marketing season timelines, and DBT bank transfer deadlines.
Linked PYQs · 2
Linked PYQs · 2
- 2018UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
From 4th July 2018 the Minimum Support Price (MSP) during 2018-19 for paddy per quintal is
- 2025UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
With reference to 'Uttar Pradesh', which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer of potato in the country. 2. Government of India has approved for establishment of South Asia Regional Centre of International Potato Centre at Aligarh. Select the correct answer from the code given below :
