24 centres set up for purchase of maize

The government has started purchasing maize from the farmers practising natural farming. As many as 24 purchase centres have been set up by Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojana, Agriculture Department, and Himachal Pradesh Food Supply Corporation across the state.

In the second phase of the purchase of maize grown through natural farming, the purchase has started in Shimla, Chamba and Mandi districts. A purchase center has been set up for maize produced through natural farming at Shanan, Bhattakufar, in Shimla. Maize is being purchased from the farmers under the supervision of officials of the Food Supply Corporation and a team of the Agriculture Department.

As per the spokesperson, maize grown through natural farming method is being purchased at a support price of Rs 30/kg, which is the highest minimum support price for maize in the country. The government will purchase a maximum of 20 quintals of maize from one farmer.

In the lower areas of the state, where the maize is ready, the purchase centers have been opened in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Solan, Sirmaur and Una districts from October 25 last month and the purchase has been completed in these districts. In the high altitude districts of Chamba, Kullu and Shimla, the purchase has been started from Monday.