Bhubaneswar: In order to cover more numbers of small and marginal farmers in paddy procurement operations, a robust, transparent and technology-based system has been put in place in the Department of Food Supply & Consumer Welfare, said Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak.
Minister, Food Supplies, Consumer Welfare, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak presented details of fulfilling the assurances given in the election manifesto and other transformative steps undertaken by the Department during last four years for achieving the targets.
Principal Secretary Food Supply & Consumer Welfare, Vir Vikram Yadav graced the occasion. DoFSCW is ensuring total transparent system for paddy procurement and adoption of 5T has been ensured by Shri Yadav, for which in last four years, there has been 300 Percent increase in the number of marginal farmers and 60 Percent increase in number of small farmers who are selling paddy to the Government and getting benefits of Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations.
In last four years, 35 Percent more farmers (5 lakhs) have registered with the Government to sell their surplus paddy.
Minister highlighted the following transformative steps taken by the Department under 5T and MO SARKAR.
More Women Self Help Groups (WSHG) and Gram Panchayats have been involved in PDS distribution. As on date, about 60% of the PDS distribution in the State is carried out by them.
Odisha is the first State in the Country which has involved WSHGs in paddy procurement operations. About 687 WSHGs are doing paddy procurement in the State.
After piloting in Malkangiri district, the rice fortification program has been extended to all welfare schemes in all 30 districts of the State. This will help in the nutritional need of the people. We are among the first State in the Country to do it.
The Department of Supply & Consumer Welfare has also started home delivery of ration for the old, infirm and critically-ill patients.
The Department is ensuring payment to the farmers of their MSP within 24-48 hours which is one of the fastest in the Country.
Minister highlighted that following awards and recognition have been received by the Department during the period.
Odisha ranked No. 1 State in the Country in the State Ranking Index 2021-22, by Department of Food & Public Distribution, Government of India for NFSA implementation.
Chief Minister reviewed the targets and achievements of the Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Department during last four years and the fulfillment of the assurances given in the manifesto.
Minister said that no eligible and distressed person is left out of the food security scheme. In order to cover them, the target under the State Food Security Scheme is dynamic.
IIM Ahmedabad has taken up Odisha’s achievement as a case study and doing research on methodology Odisha adopted for successful implementation of NFSA & SFSS.
Odisha pioneered implementation of rice fortification programme in the Country under all schemes i.e. PDS/MDM/PM-POSHAN/ICDS/OWS in all 30 districts. Also, we are a major contributor of fortified rice to the Central Pool.
FS & CW Department has been awarded with Planet Purpose Award 2023 for the project “Village-wise Plot level Analysis of Paddy crop growing areas using Satellite Imagery”. Odisha is the only State in the Country which utilizes Satellite imagery, the high-end technology for validation of paddy crop growing areas.
Mission from WFP Iraq and Libya visited Odisha to learn about the Paddy Procurement and TPDS Automation System functioning in the State. Iraq adopts the PDS Supply Chain Module of Odisha. (December 2022)
High-level Ministerial Delegation from Nepal visited Odisha to study the implementation of NFSA and End-to-End Computerization of TPDS. (May 2022), said Minister.