PRAYAGRAJ, Nov. 2 -- Paddy procurement in the Prayagraj division is set to begin on November 2, with the administration targeting the purchase of 5.63 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of the crop across its four districts.

In a first, officials have introduced QR codes for rice bags on a pilot basis to facilitate digital tracking and curb black marketing. Furthermore, officials confirmed that all paddy transportation will be conducted exclusively via GPS-enabled trucks.

The procurement drive for the 2026-27 kharif marketing season, originally scheduled for November 1 in eastern Uttar Pradesh, was deferred by one day due to a holiday. The process will continue through February 28, 2027.

Another significant update this season is the accelerated p...