The targeted procurement of 4.46 lakh tonnes of tur (redgram or pigeon pea) in Maharashtra is expected to commence on a full scale by February 1.

The Nafed procurement process is delayed as farmers have been asked to first register online for selling their produce. Sources in the Nafed said that about one lakh farmers have registered for selling the crop.

Nafed is expected to open over 150 centres for procurement of tur.

Inferior quality

Higher moisture content and non-FAQ quality of the produce in some locations too have delayed the process of procurement.

FAQ stands for Fair Average Quality which sets the quality parameters for the crop, below which the procurement is not done.

Farmers are awaiting the procurement as they are getting only ₹4,200-4,400 a quintal against an MSP of ₹5,450. Pasha Patel, Chairman, Maharashtra State Commission for Agriculture and Prices, said the produce has higher moisture content because of which it is not fitting in the FAQ norms of Nafed.

In a few days, the moisture content will get reduced and then the procurement of tur will start, he said.

Patel said that last year about 7.7 lakh tonnes of tur were procured due to a bumper crop. This year, however, it is not expected to reach such levels.

Market price drops

Maharudra Shette, a tur grower from Usturi village in Latur district, said that since the price difference between the MSP and the local market price is over ₹1,000 a quintal, the farmers are eagerly waiting for Nafed to start procurement operations.

Karnataka beckons

Shette said that only those farmers who are in need of money are selling their prodcue for a lower price at local markets run by APMCs, while others are simply retaining their stock.

He also pointed out that farmers are selling in areas that are contiguous with Karnataka as the Karnataka government is offering a ₹500 additional bonus over the MSP rate.

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