Chhattisgarh Steps Up Paddy Procurement Preparations for Kharif Marketing Year 2026-27

Chhattisgarh has stepped up preparations for the upcoming paddy procurement season, with Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Dayal Das Baghel directing officials to ensure that farmers face no difficulties during the procurement process. At a key meeting held on Friday, the minister stressed that facilitating farmers must remain the state government's highest priority.
Officials were instructed to ensure a smooth process at every stage, from farmer registration and token issuance to the sale of paddy at procurement centres. The minister directed the department to complete all necessary preparations well in advance and ensure that procurement centres have adequate gunny bags, electronic weighing equipment, electricity, drinking water and other essential facilities for farmers.
During the departmental review meeting, officials conducted a detailed assessment of preparations for paddy procurement in the upcoming Kharif Marketing Year 2026-27, along with custom milling, the Public Distribution System, foodgrain storage and transportation, and other departmental schemes and activities.
Baghel instructed officials to ensure that the entire paddy procurement process remains organised, transparent and farmer-friendly. Before procurement begins, all centres must be inspected to verify the availability of essential resources and facilities, and any shortcomings must be addressed.
The minister said farmers arriving at procurement centres should not have to face unnecessary waiting or inconvenience. He directed officials to ensure that the token system operates smoothly and that farmers receive essential information about the procurement process on time. Officials responsible for paddy procurement were also instructed to regularly review preparations at their respective levels and ensure the immediate resolution of any problems.
Emphasising the importance of adequate supplies, Baghel directed officials to maintain sufficient stocks of gunny bags at procurement centres, stating that shortages must not disrupt procurement operations. He also instructed officials to ensure proper electronic weighing arrangements at newly established paddy procurement centres. Electricity, drinking water and other basic facilities must be available at all centres.
The food minister also reviewed the status of custom milling and directed officials to accelerate the process. Where problems related to paddy lifting or custom milling have emerged, officials must assess the actual situation and implement time-bound solutions.
Baghel further stressed the need for better coordination between paddy procurement, lifting and custom milling to ensure that the entire system operates without disruption. The directions underline the administration's focus on completing preparations before procurement begins and ensuring that farmers can sell their produce through an organised and transparent system.