Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Friday, met Union agriculture minister Radhamohan Singh and apprised him with the situation following bumper production of onions in Madhya Pradesh. Chouhan said this year production of 32 lakh metric ton onions was expected in the state. Falling prices along with bumper production was a cause for concern.
Chouhan said so far the state government had already purchased 3.92 lakh MT onions. Government of India has fixed June 30 as the last date for purchase of onions. Taking into account the increasing influx of onions Chouhan urged the last date be extended to July 15 so that onions being brought by the farmers could be purchased and they got a fair price for it. Chouhan said the Centre should extend the fixed target of 2 lakh MT to 8 lakh MT under MIS.
Chouhan held a discussion on purchase related issues under support price scheme for summer crops like Moong, Urad and Arhar. He told that total 24,115 MTs Moong and 4, 350 MT Urad had been purchased so far. Owing to the bumper production, Chouhan urged the Centre should intervene in the market and through Price Stabilisation Fund purchase Moong and Urad will July 31. Similarly MP is the biggest producer of Arhar (Tuar). So far the Centre has purchased 1.02 lakh MT Arhar in state under Price Stabilisation Fund. Due to lack of permission by the Centre, the state has purchased 5,960 MT Arhar since June 10 through its own sources.
