Mumbai, April 8 Maharashtra Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said on Wednesday that the Centre has extended the deadline for procuring maize for the Kharif 2025-26 season until April 30, providing major relief to farmers in the state.
The extension will apply to maize procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) from pre-registered farmers, Bhujbal said in an official release.
The earlier deadline for procuring coarse grains including jowar, bajra, maize, and ragi was February 28. It was later extended to March 31 for maize.
As several registered maize farmers in Maharashtra had not yet sold their produce, the state government had requested a further extension from the Centre, following which the new deadline was approved, Bhujbal said.
The minister said the extension was granted subject to certain conditions, such as the procured maize must meet quality standards and be certified as fit for human consumption.
Furthermore, the stock must be distributed before the commencement of the next procurement season to prevent "recycling," he said.