Date:12/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/04/12/stories/2005041201181000.htm

Back Nafed to procure 30,000 t chillies

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , April 11

THE Union Agriculture Ministry in consultation with the Andhra Pradesh Government has sanctioned a market intervention scheme (MIS) to procure 30,000 tonnes of chillies at Rs 2,700 a quintal for premier variety and Rs 2,500 per quintal for common variety.

The scheme would be implemented with immediate effect up to May 31 and is aimed to help the chilli farmers in Andhra Pradesh.

Accordingly, about 5,000 tonnes of premier and 25,000 of common variety would be procured by the Central and State agencies on 50:50 basis.

The overhead expenditure would be Rs 358 per quintal for premium and Rs 340.90 for common quality. The losses, if any would be shared 50:50 between the Centre and State. The chillies thus procured would be sold by the procuring agency at the maximum realisable rates.

Giving this information, the Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, in response to a letter by the Bapatla MP, Ms D. Purandeswari, said National Agricultural Marketing Federation (Nafed) would do the needful.

Though more than 37,000 farmers have registered to sell their produce in the Guntur agricultural market yard, the average prices are hovering just above the Rs 2,000 a quintal.