Farmers to receive input assistance of ₹13,839 per acre even if they sell less than 21 quintals; 26 new procurement centres opened to reduce transportation costs
TFP Bureau, Rajnandgaon, November 15, 2026: Paddy procurement for the 2026-27 Kharif marketing season began across Rajnandgaon district on Sunday, with farmers arriving at procurement centres amid enthusiasm and celebrations. Tokens were issued to 805 farmers on the opening day through the ‘Token Tunhar Dwar’ mobile application.
Procurement operations commenced at 117 centres across the district. The district administration said arrangements had been made to facilitate the smooth purchase of paddy and ensure that farmers did not face difficulties.
The procurement drive began at the Kanharpuri centre in Rajnandgaon development block with traditional rituals, including worship of weighing scales and floral offerings. Mayor Madhusudan Yadav welcomed farmers with garlands, gulal and tilak, and distributed sweets to mark the occasion.
Farmers arrived at various centres from early morning with their produce in tractors and other vehicles. They welcomed the government’s decision to procure paddy at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), saying it would help them receive a fair price for their harvest.
A key relief measure announced by the state government is the provision of input assistance of ₹13,839 per acre to eligible farmers, even if they sell less than the prescribed maximum of 21 quintals of paddy per acre. The decision is expected to benefit small and marginal farmers, those in low-productivity areas and families in tribal regions. The assistance will be subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions.
New centres reduce farmers’ travel burden
Farmers expressed particular satisfaction over the opening of 26 new procurement centres in the district this year, taking the total number to 122, compared with 96 in the previous season.
At the newly opened Khairjhiti centre, farmer Govind Singh said the facility had brought considerable relief to residents of nearby villages. Earlier, farmers had to travel around five kilometres to sell their produce, adding to transportation expenses and the time required.
Singh arrived at the new centre with 86 quintals of paddy, which he said was purchased through a convenient process. The centre will serve farmers from Joratrai, Khairjhiti, Dumardih Khurd and Kaldabari villages.
He thanked Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for establishing the centre, saying the facility would make procurement more accessible and reduce the burden of transporting paddy over longer distances.
Farmer registrations increase
A total of 1,35,167 farmers have registered for paddy procurement in Rajnandgaon district for the 2026-27 season, an increase of 2,934 over the 1,32,233 registered in the previous year.
The administration said the expansion of the procurement network was aimed at bringing facilities closer to farmers and reducing transportation costs. The new centres are expected to make it easier for farmers to sell their produce in their own villages or nearby areas.
