Bhavnagar/Junagadh: The state government started purchasing peanuts, pigeon peas, green gram, and soybeans at the minimum support price (MSP) in the districts of Bhavnagar and Junagadh, Gujarat.

The process started on Sunday at APMC centres in Bhavnagar, Mahuva, Gariadhar, Talaja, and Palitana. The Bhavnagar District Cooperative Purchase and Sales Union Ltd has completed all necessary arrangements, with around 37,000 farmers already registered.

Kirit Bhatt, Manager of the District Cooperative Purchase and Sale Union, Bhavnagar, urged farmers to participate promptly, saying, "I want to inform farmers through my medium that they should not delay and reach the procurement centre immediately."

Similarly, in Junagadh district, peanuts are being purchased at ₹1,452 per quintal, while soybeans are priced at ₹1,065 per quintal. So far, 1.14 lakh farmers have registered, and procurement has begun at 17 locations throughout the district.

Expressing satisfaction with the government’s initiative, Govindbhai, a farmer, said, "We are very grateful to the government. The government's policy is very good. We demand that the government make similar arrangements for other crops as well."

Jigar Bhatt, District Agriculture Officer, Junagadh, confirmed, "Procurement at the government rate began today (Sunday) in Junagarh district. Peanuts, soybeans, mung beans, and urad are being procured here. Our centers are active in all talukas of the district."

According to farmers, selling their produce at the support price is helping them earn better returns than in the open market.

Meanwhile, officials expressed hope that the government’s move would help offset the losses farmers faced due to untimely rains in the region.