Red Gram MSP Procurement Covers Only 25% Of Output: Samithi
-Anantapur: Rayalaseema Saguneeti Sadhana Samithi president Bojja Dasaratha Rami Reddy welcomed the Centre’s decision to procure 40,000 tonnes of red gram at Minimum Support Price (MSP) through the National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) in united Kurnool district on the request of the Andhra Pradesh government due to low market prices.
However, he said the procurement covers only 25 per cent of the estimated production of 1.6 lakh tonnes of red gram and appealed to the State government to start additional purchases if prices do not stabilise.
Dasaratha Rami Reddy also requested the Center to announce a clear MSP procurement policy for all irrigated dry and dryland crops in Rayalaseema, including maize, Bengal gram, red gram, black gram, green gram, jowar and millet, at par with paddy procurement in coastal districts.
Expressing concern over drought-hit conditions, he said maize was being sold around ₹600 below MSP, while Bengal gram was not sold in large quantities in Rayalaseema and Prakasam regions. He urged governments to ensure timely and adequate MSP supply, especially considering the high production expected this year.
