Lucknow, Sep 16: Uttar Pradesh will commence paddy procurement from October 1 for the 2025-26 marketing season, with the government setting a target of 60 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) at a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 2,369 per quintal, Rs 69 higher than last year.
UP Food and Civil Supplies Commissioner Bhupendra Chaudhary said the government plans to start procurement in western Uttar Pradesh districts on October 1, while procurement in eastern districts will begin from November 1. The paddy procurement policy will soon be presented to the state cabinet for approval.
Officials highlighted that the registration process for farmers has been further simplified to ensure hassle-free access to MSP benefits. So far, 5,022 farmers have registered to sell their paddy, and the government aims to encourage even more genuine farmers to participate.
Last year, over 57.70 LMT of paddy were procured through 4,372 government procurement centres, with more than 9 lakh farmers registering. This year, the government plans to set up 4,500 procurement centres in collaboration with the Food Corporation of India (FCI), supported by 1,820 rice mills across the state.
Procurement will first begin in divisions including Meerut, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Agra, Aligarh, Jhansi, and Lucknow, with the rest of the state following from November 1. The government has emphasised better arrangements at procurement centres to streamline the process for farmers.