After extending benefits to sugarcane growers, the Yogi Adityanath government has now announced major relief for paddy farmers. The state has approved a one per cent relaxation in the recovery rate for non-hybrid (coarse) paddy, a move expected to help around 13-15 lakh farmers secure better prices. The decision will also directly benefit nearly 2,000 rice mills in Uttar Pradesh.
The government already provides a three per cent relaxation in recovery for hybrid paddy, and this provision will continue. Announcing the decision at Lok Bhavan on Tuesday, Finance Minister Suresh Khanna said the relaxation was granted following repeated requests from millers over low recovery in paddy milling.
Under central government norms, rice millers must return 67 per cent of paddy as Custom Milled Rice (CMR). After coming to power in 2017, the Yogi government had granted a three per cent relaxation for hybrid paddy, which costs the state Rs 100 crore annually. Until now, no relaxation existed for coarse paddy. The newly announced one per cent relief will involve an estimated expenditure of Rs 166 crore.
Khanna said the move is expected to boost paddy prices, encourage mills to process more grain, and benefit over two lakh workers currently employed in rice mills. It may also create additional employment opportunities.
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Paddy procurement is presently underway in the state, and officials expect to purchase more than last year. Principal Secretary (Food and Civil Supplies) Ranveer Prasad said the department has simplified online registration and verification for farmers. GPS-tracked vehicles and systematic stock checks are being used for monitoring procurement operations.
Recently, the government also increased sugarcane prices by a record Rs 30 per quintal, providing significant support to sugarcane farmers.