New Delhi, Jan 21 (PTI) The government has procured paddy worth Rs 1.08 lakh crore so far in this kharif marketing season at the minimum support price (MSP) amid farmers' protest at various Delhi borders.

The kharif marketing season stars from October.

"In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at MSP from farmers as per existing MSP schemes," the Food Ministry said in a statement.

Food Corporation of India and other state agencies have procured 575.36 lakh tonne till January 20, an increase of 23.41 per cent from 466.22 lakh tonne in the corresponding period of the previous marketing year.

"About 82.08 lakh farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement operations with MSP value of Rs 1,08,629.27 crore," the statement said.

Out of the total purchase of 575.36 lakh tonne, Punjab has contributed 202.77 lakh tonne.

Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, are protesting at various border points of the national capital, seeking repeal of the three new farm laws and a legal guarantee for MSP.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)