Horticorp committed to procure all vegetables produced by farmers: Minister G R Anil
He gave this assurance to the farmers during a visit there.
The minister also said that necessary steps would be taken to make the procurement time-bound and hassle-free by making necessary changes in the online portals of the agriculture department and Horticorp. He said Horticorp would immediately release the vegetable price arrears pending for the past five months. Farmers are to get over Rs 48 lakh, pending from Jan to May.
Anil, who also interacted with the farmers at a meeting convened by agriculture minister P Prasad, said Horticorp would ensure the procurement of all vegetables if the farmers could inform the authorities in advance about the details of their produce and the quantity and date on which the farmers would bring it to the wholesale market for procurement.
The inconsistency in the procurement and the delay in the disbursal of payment were causing serious trouble to farmers in the Nedumangad region.
The food and civil supplies minister said he was aware of the difficulties caused to farmers by certain officials of Horticorp at the wholesale market. He said the department would address such unfortunate incidents.
Minister Prasad said the damaged freezer unit and toilet in the market would be repaired in a month. He said a single point contact number would be made available to farmers for interacting with the department. Prasad said farming could be attractive only when farmers sell value-added products using their produce. He said the govt was committed to helping farmers move in that direction and promised to address all practical issues raised by farmers at the meeting.
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