Farmers in Kailali happy as wheat sold above government support price

Tikapur (Kailali): Farmers in Kailali have expressed happiness after being able to sell wheat at a price higher than the support price set by the government.

The Food Management and Trading Company Limited Provincial Office, Dhangadhi, began purchasing wheat in Tikapur, Kailali from Wednesday. Earlier, wheat procurement had also started in Mohanpur, Dhangadhi from Tuesday. The company has started purchasing wheat from farmers and agricultural cooperatives in Tikapur from Wednesday.

Senior Assistant at the Provincial Office, Dhangadhi, Pushparaj Bajgain, informed that wheat procurement has been carried out at a price higher than the government-fixed minimum support price. “The minimum support price of wheat set by the government is Rs 3,945 per quintal. The food company is purchasing wheat at Rs 4,250 per quintal to encourage farmers,” he said. “Farmers are happy after receiving the higher price.”

Farmers have expressed satisfaction at being able to sell wheat above the support price. Yogendra Saund, who reached the food warehouse in Tikapur to sell wheat, said he received a better price compared to other places. “Some farmers have already sold wheat at a low price,” he said, “but we got a good price.”

Krimlal Dangaura of Mahadeva, Joshipur Rural Municipality-6, also said he was pleased to sell wheat to the food company. “We received a higher price than the fixed rate,” he said, adding, “The government should fix prices and carry out procurement on time.” He suggested that procurement should begin earlier in the coming years, as some farmers had already sold wheat in the village.

Another farmer, Ramesh Chaudhary, said he had already sold wheat from his field to manage household needs such as purchasing textbooks for children. Farmers in the area sell agricultural produce to cover household expenses and to buy seeds and fertilizers for rain-fed farming. He added that the government should take further steps to provide relief to farmers in the future.

The food company aims to purchase 10,000 quintals of wheat from Kailali. It plans to buy a maximum of 70 quintals per farmer and up to 500 quintals per agricultural cooperative. Additionally, cooperatives engaged in seed production in the region have also been purchasing wheat at above support prices. The higher price has encouraged farmers to continue agricultural activities.