Assam’s Paddy Procurement Drive Expands with New Farmer-Friendly Initiatives

Guwahati, September 22, 2024: The Assam Government is taking a transformative step in paddy procurement, achieving significant milestones aimed at benefiting farmers. The latest initiatives focus on expanding the Decentralized Procurement (DCP) System, introducing a home pickup service, and enforcing biometric verification to ensure a transparent and efficient procurement process.

To expand its reach, the DCP System is now set to include additional districts—Chirang, Kokrajhar, Sivasagar, and Charaideo—enabling decentralized efficiency in areas with lower operational volumes. This expansion will provide a broader platform for farmers in these regions, simplifying their involvement in the procurement process.

Further enhancing farmer convenience, the government plans to launch a home pickup service, making paddy procurement more accessible. This service will deploy Paddy Procurement Centre (PPC) managers who will visit farmers’ homes 2-3 times a week, ensuring seamless doorstep collection. Vehicle hire allowances will be provided to facilitate smooth logistics, reducing the challenges faced by farmers during the procurement phase.

In addition, a mandatory biometric verification system will be introduced for farmers participating in the procurement process. This measure aims to enhance trust and transparency, ensuring that only genuine participants engage in the procurement chain, safeguarding farmers’ interests, and maintaining the integrity of the system.

With these progressive steps, Assam is set to revolutionize the paddy procurement process, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and a more farmer-friendly experience.

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