Centre approves potato procurement in UP

New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) The Union Agriculture Ministry on Tuesday approved procurement of potato under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) in Uttar Pradesh for 2016-17.

According to a release, a maximum of 100,000 tonnes may be procured under the scheme by the state agency.

"The purchase will be made at Rs 4,870 per metric tonnes. The ministry will provide an additional Rs 1217.50 per metric tonnes or actual whichever is less for overhead expenses, such as transportation charges, mandi tax, and godown charges," the release said.

The central has introduced the MIS in 2014 to provide remunerative prices to agricultural and horticultural commodities, which are generally perishable in nature.

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday decided to buy the potato produce of farmers at the rate of Rs 487 per quintal, with a target of one lakh metric tonnes.

The state government would ensure the yield is purchased from genuine farmers and the procured stocks will be disposed of in the open market to ensure maximum realisable price, said the release

"Potatoes will be purchased from the cooperative societies, farmers' organisations or directly from the farmers to eliminate the possibility of middlemen taking advantage of the scheme," reads the release.

The government may sell the produce to processing units, if required, and take efforts to export the it after processing.

Also, the produce would not be sold in the same market where it has been procured during the period of the scheme in order to avoid recycling.

However, farmers could sell it locally if the prices are better.

"Barter payments or payments in kind to farmers for procurement will not be allowed," reads the release.