CM Chouhan meets Union Agriculture Minister Singh

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today met Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh and apprised him with the situation following bumper production of onions in Madhya Pradesh. Chouhan told that this year production of 32 lakh metric ton onions is expected in state. Falling cost of production along with bumper production is a cause for concern.

Chief Minister Chouhan said that so far the state government has already purchased 3.92 lakh metric ton onions. Government of India has fixed June 30 as the last date for purchase of onions. Taking into account the increasing influx of onions 

Chouhan urged that the last date for onion purchase should be increased to July 15 so that the onions being brought in by the farmers can be purchased and farmers get a fair price for it. Chouhan said that Government of India should extend the fixed target of 2 lakh metric ton to 8 lakh metric ton under M.I.S.

Chouhan held a discussion on purchase related issues under support price scheme for summer crops like Moong, Urad and Arhar. The CM told that total 24,115 metric ton Moong and 4, 350 metric ton urad has been purchased so far. Owing to the bumper production, Chouhan urged that Government of India should intervene in the market and through Price Stabilisation Fund purchase Moong and Urad will July 31. Similarly Madhya Pradesh is the biggest producing state of Arhar (Tuar). So far Government of India has purchased 1.02 lakh metric ton Arhar in state under Price Stabilisation Fund. Due to lack of permission by Government of India, state government has purchased 5960 metric ton Arhar since June 10 through its own sources.-WTN