Thiruvananthapuram: Processes have been initiated for bringing procurement of agricultural products under the direct control of the central government. In Kerala, procurement of paddy and copra were being done through state agencies. The centre used to hand over its share of funds as per the ‘quantities’ procured by these agencies.

However, from now on, products of farmers who are registered in the centre’s online portal will be procured in terms of the minimum support prices (MSPs) and the money will be directly transferred to the accounts of the farmers. Registrations for items including millets, beans and dal have already commenced. More items will be included in the list in the coming days.

National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and National Co-operative Consumer Federation (NCCF) will soon be transformed completely into procuring agencies. They will together run the joint portal.

The farmer will have to register details including that of his crops, dimensions of his farmland and also Aadhaar card details.

With the new practice, the central agency will be able to procure the entire produce in the registered land by giving the farmer the MSP. In case, the market prices for the products are higher, then the rates will be adjusted accordingly. The farmers are free to give their products to the market directly as well.

The procured products will be introduced in the market under the ‘Bharat Brand’ as value added products.  

Since some time, central agencies have been raising allegations that traders and intermediaries are interfering negatively in the farmers’ business in Kerala. Farmers in Kerala often end up not getting their payments.

The state government often puts the blame on the central government for the delay in payments. Meanwhile, the Centre has accused Kerala of not giving the required details on time.

The centre has been giving the farmer Rs 20.4 for every kilogram of rice. The state government adds on a production bonus of Rs 7.8 to this amount. Similarly for coconuts, the centre pays Rs 29.32 per piece. The state adds Rs 4.67 to this amount paid by the centre.

With the latest update, farmers will now be able gather an idea on who is actually defaulting these payments.