Latest news with #Markfed
Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Markfed starts black burley tobacco procurement at Parchur
Parchur: The State government has instilled confidence among black burley tobacco farmers by launching tobacco procurement operations through Markfed on Saturday and announcing its commitment to purchase crops until the end of the season. Private companies had been reluctant to participate in procurement, leaving farmers without proper pricing and facing severe hardships. Parchur MLA Yeluri Sambasiva Rao highlighted these challenges to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Achennaidu, Agriculture Principal Secretary Rajasekhar, and Commissioner Dhilli Rao. State officials personally assessed the ground-level problems faced by the farmers in a meeting held at the camp office of Yeluri. Following review meetings with various companies that showed no progress, the government escalated the matter, leading to a crucial Cabinet decision for direct government procurement through Markfed. DM of Markfed Karunasri inaugurated the first tobacco procurement center at Parchur AMC Yard, realising the persistent efforts of Parchur MLA Yeluri Sambasiva Rao, who repeatedly brought farmers' difficulties to the government's attention. The ceremonious sale of operations saw the purchase of 6.40 quintals from farmer Dasi Kiran of Nagulapalem village at Rs 12000 per quintal. The Markfed DM announced plans to establish procurement centers everywhere and purchase from every farmer until the season ends. She said that arrangements are being made intensively to facilitate doorstep procurement. She said that the government is arranging tobacco company experts, procurement equipment, storage warehouses, and additional staff. The timing was considered auspicious for the Saturday launch, as suitable dates were not available on the initially planned June 14-15, she explained.
New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra Agriculture Minister promises procurement of total tobacco stock from farmers
GUNTUR: Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu on Saturday assured that the government would support Black Burley tobacco farmers until every leaf is procured. He made the statement during a meeting with farmers and company representatives at the Parchur MLA's camp office. The Minister announced that procurement will follow a two-grade system, Rs 12,000 per quintal for the common variety and Rs 6,000 for the low grade. 'Despite global market fluctuations, companies must follow these fixed rates,' he said. The government will bear processing costs and may initiate direct procurement through Markfed if necessary. Atchannaidu criticised companies for neglecting farmers' concerns and warned against delays. He said six sub-committees will oversee procurement, and staff support will be provided to companies. Of the targeted 25 million kg, farmers produced 75 million kg, causing a crisis amid declining international demand. Energy Minister G Ravi Kumar said, 'The government promoted this crop with company backing and must now ensure full procurement.' He cautioned against farmer suicides and confirmed that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is monitoring the situation. Special Chief Secretary B Rajasekhar confirmed that all stock would be procured at fair prices. District Collector J. Venkata Murali pledged constant monitoring.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ludhiana East achieves highest wheat procurement and lifting in Punjab.
Ludhiana: Govt agencies in this district have completed their wheat procurement and almost finished lifting the crop from grain markets ahead of the May 31 deadline, with private traders emerging as top buyers alongside state-run entities, official data shows. A May 20 report from the food, civil supplies, and consumer affairs department suggests that Ludhiana East achieved 100% procurement and lifting, amounting to 3.19 lakh metric tonnes, while Ludhiana West followed closely with 3.28 lakh MT procurement and 99.9% lifting. District food and supply controller (DFSC) for Ludhiana East, Shefali Chopra, said govt agencies had completed procurement and lifting in the East circle by May 16. She credited "ground-level coordination" for the efficient operation and noted that Ludhiana East had topped the state's performance rankings this season — just as it did last year when it won the best procurement award for the fiscal 2023-24. Statewide, Ludhiana East and SAS Nagar (Mohali) were the only districts to achieve 100% lifting by govt agencies as of May 20. In contrast, Amritsar recorded the lowest rate at 83.99%, highlighting uneven lifting progress across Punjab. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo Private traders played a significant role in Ludhiana's overall wheat procurement this year. A district-level report dated May 16 shows that private players procured 1.68 LMT wheat, placing them among the top three procurement entities — behind Pungrain (1.81 LMT) and Markfed (1.79 LMT), and well ahead of FCI (60,120 MT), the lowest among govt agencies. Manjot Singh, an Arhitya (commission agent) at the Khanna grain market, said the wheat season posed fewer logistical challenges than the paddy season due to the smaller volume of grain. "Procurement was done almost 20 days ago," he said, adding that local flour mill owners, acting as private traders, had bought in large volumes expecting future price increases. The figures come amid growing attention on food security, market volatility, and the shifting role of private enterprise in India's agricultural supply chain. MSID:: 121366492 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sangrur farmer to export ready-to-eat millets for health-conscious Canadians
Chandigarh: Having successfully exported nine millet types to Australia last year, a Sangrur-based grower is now targeting the health-conscious Punjabi diaspora in Canada with a new consignment of ready-to-eat millets ready for shipment next week. This expansion, fuelled by online visibility and positive word-of-mouth, also sees him catering to a growing local market of individuals and millet-biscuit factories. After returning from Australia five years ago, Dilpreet Singh, from Rajpura village in Sangrur, made a conscious shift from traditional wheat-paddy farming to millet cultivation. Setting his own standards, he adopted a chemical-free approach. "We have established complete end-to-end control over the value chain, handling primary and secondary processing, including international-quality packaging, within our own unit," he said. Embarking on millet exports wasn't without initial hurdles. The stringent Australian "nil germination" requirement necessitated the creation of a customised steaming plant on Dilpreet's farm. "Even the Punjab Agricultural University couldn't offer a solution," he recalled, emphasising a year of trial and error. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Following the successful shipment of 14.3 tonnes to Australia last year, preparations are now underway for exports to Canada. Highlighting the diverse ways millets are consumed, he explained, "The Punjabi diaspora abroad typically uses Ragi, Jowar, and Bajra as flours, but South Indian communities prefer them as a rice alternative. As for me, I just had brown top millet cooked like rice for lunch." The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations recognised 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM2023) to raise awareness about the health, nutritional, and environmental benefits of millets. Dilpreet lamented that the state govt can do a lot more in supporting millet cultivation. "Markfed, for instance, could easily integrate millets into their Sohna product line. Yet, they cite a lack of local supply and procure from Haryana. This leaves millet-growing farmers here without adequate buyers – a frustrating paradox," he said. Fluctuating prices in the local market pose another challenge. "During the International Year of Millets, brown top fetched Rs 85 per kg, only to plummet to Rs 28 per kg as raw material afterwards," Dilpreet explained. To counter this, he tried to carve out a niche by pre-soaking, dehydrating, and de-husking his millets, extending their shelf life to two years compared to the typical three months. "This value addition also enhances digestibility and imparts a pleasant aroma," he added. Dilpreet directly markets his homegrown millets online to health-conscious buyers and also supplies Markfed, Punjab Agro, millet restaurants, and millet-based biscuit factories. For his export ventures, including the upcoming consignment to Canada , he also sources millets from Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, in addition to those grown on his 14-acre farm.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tenant farmers in distress in Andhra Pradesh, says former minister Karumuri
Vijayawada: Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has failed tenant farmers, leaving them in distress with only 15 days remaining before the Kharif season, said former minister Karumuri Nageswara Rao . Speaking to media on Wednesday, Karumuri said that over 32 lakhs of tenant farmers, comprising 70-80% of the agricultural workforce, are grappling with severe neglect, as the government has scrapped tenant farmer cards , blocking access to critical support like crop loans, insurance, and compensation. This policy reversal has forced farmers to borrow at exorbitant interest rates of 3-5% from private lenders, pushing them into a debt trap. "Naidu's failure to support tenant farmers is deplorable. While he focuses on Amaravati, farmers are left to suffer," he said that tenant farmers received unprecedented support. Between 2019 and 2024, 25.94 lakh farmers were issued tenant cards during previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy regime, enabling access to Rs. 8,345 crore in crop loans for 6.78 lakh farmers, Rs. 751.42 crore in investment assistance for 5.57 lakh SC, ST, BC, and minority farmers, Rs. 731.08 crore in crop insurance for 3.55 lakh farmers, and Rs. 253.56 crore in crop loss compensation for 2.42 lakh farmers. The YSRCP also ensured the procurement of damaged crops, including every grain of rain-soaked paddy, and supported tobacco farmers with Rs. 500 crore through Markfed to stabilize prices. In contrast, the current govt has failed to issue tenant cards, stalled the Crop Cultivator Rights Cards (CCRC) process, and ignored the Annadata Sukheebhava scheme, leaving farmers without investment plight of tobacco farmers is particularly dire. Prices have crashed from Rs. 18,000 per quintal under YSRCP to below Rs. 10,000, with private companies exploiting farmers by rejecting produce on quality grounds after promising procurement. He said that in one district, 80,000 acres of Burley tobacco was cultivated with an investments of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per acre, yet farmers face losses due to poor yields and low prices. Karumuri highlighted the government's inaction, noting, "Tobacco farmers are on the brink of suicide, yet Naidu remains silent." He urged the govt to procure tobacco through the Tobacco Board and called on deputy mhief minister Pawan Kalyan to negotiate with the central govt for relief. He said that the the govt is misusing public funds on special flights for leaders like Naidu, Pawan Kalyan, and Nara Lokesh, while neglecting farmers' welfare. Karumuri reaffirmed YSRCP's commitment to fight for tenant and tobacco farmers, stating, "We will stand with farmers and agitate until justice is delivered." With the Kharif season approaching, Rao demanded immediate issuance of tenant cards, restoration of support schemes, and procurement of tobacco at fair prices.
