- विज्ञापन -
Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government has announced an extension of the deadline for purchasing pigeon pea (tur dal) at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) until April 30.
Under the direction of state Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel, this extension aims to ensure that no farmer in the state misses the chance to sell their produce at a fair price.
Minister Patel noted that this year has seen considerable sowing and production of pigeon pea in Gujarat. The Union government has set an MSP of Rs 7,550 per quintal for tur dal under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA).
Encouraged by the attractive pricing, over 1.23 lakh farmers in the state have registered to sell their crops at MSP. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel initiated the procurement process on February 24 to ensure farmers receive fair compensation.
As of now, more than 58,300 farmers have sold 1.11 lakh metric tonnes of pigeon pea, amounting to over Rs 841 crore. Minister Raghavji Patel emphasized that farmers who have registered but have not yet sold their produce will have until April 30 to do so.
This extension is intended to support all eligible farmers and ensure they do not miss the opportunity to benefit from government procurement. This year has seen a significant increase in pigeon pea cultivation among farmers in Gujarat.
Since the procurement process began on February 24, it has already provided assistance to more than 58,300 farmers, with 1.11 lakh metric tonnes of pigeon pea purchased, leading to a total financial outlay surpassing Rs 841 crore.
Additionally, the Centre has removed the purchase ceiling for traditionally imported pulses such as tur, urad, and masur under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for the 2024-25 season, guaranteeing 100 percent procurement at MSP for these crops. A duty-free import policy for Tur, Urad, and Masur has also been implemented to boost domestic availability.
