Collector M. Ravikumar inaugurated a direct procurement centre for copra on the premises of Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society at Sathankulam on Wednesday.
In his address, he said that the government had fixed procurement price at Rs. 59.50 for a kg of milling copra and Rs. 62.40 for ball copra. It would function for 180 days.
Later, he distributed welfare assistance of Rs. 80,000 to some coconut farmers, and identity cards to 11 farmers.
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Similarly, copra procurement began in the regulated markets in Thingal Nagar and Therur in Kanniyakumari district on Wednesday, according to Collector Sajjansingh R. Chavan.
Thovalai and Agasteeswaram Taluk Agricultrue Producers Cooperative and Marketing Societies were also selected for copra procurement.
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The copra procurement scheme would be in operation for 180 days from Wednesday. A farmer can sell one fourth of his annual production to the procurement centres. Farmers can sell their copra once in 45 days.
The amount payable to the farmers for the sale of copra would be credited to their bank accounts, Mr. Chavan said.
The Collector also distributed identity cards to a few progressive coconut farmers.
Joint Director of Agriculture Chandrasenan Nair, Deputy Registrar of Coopratives Nadukkattu Raja, and Personal Assistant to Collector (Agriculture) Nijamudin participated.