Keonjhar: In a significant move to bolster the agricultural economy and fulfill long-standing promises to the farming community, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi officially inaugurated the paddy procurement process for the 2025-26 Kharif marketing season at Palashpanga in Keonjhar district. Addressing a large gathering of farmers, the Chief Minister underscored his government’s commitment to ensuring that no grower is left behind and that every grain produced with hard labor finds a fair market.
The inauguration marks a milestone for the state’s agriculture sector, as the government has set an ambitious target of procuring 93 lakh metric tonnes of paddy across the Kharif and Rabi seasons for the 2025-26 cycle. Out of this total, the state aims to collect 73 lakh metric tonnes during the current Kharif season alone. During his speech, Chief Minister Shri Majhi emphasized that the procurement system has been overhauled to prioritize transparency and eliminate the hurdles previously faced by small and marginal farmers.
A key highlight of this year’s procurement policy is the significant financial boost provided to cultivators. The government is offering a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of 3,169 rupees per quintal for common grade paddy and 3,189 rupees per quintal for Grade A varieties. This price includes a state-sponsored input assistance of 800 rupees per quintal, a move designed to enhance the income of nearly 20 lakh registered farmers across Odisha. The Chief Minister assured the audience that payments would be credited directly to their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts within 48 hours of sale, ensuring immediate liquidity for rural households.
To maintain the integrity of the process, the state has implemented several technological safeguards. Every mandi or procurement center is now equipped with 24-hour CCTV surveillance, and a centralized control room in Bhubaneswar monitors operations in real-time. Furthermore, the government has integrated satellite imagery to verify land details and crop yields, a measure intended to prevent the entry of middlemen and ensure that only genuine farmers benefit from the government’s high procurement rates.
Beyond paddy, Chief Minister Shri Majhi spoke about the importance of crop diversification. He urged the farmers of Keonjhar and beyond to explore the cultivation of millets, pulses, and oilseeds, noting that the government is also expanding procurement avenues for these non-paddy crops. This strategy is part of a larger vision to transform Odisha into a leading agricultural hub and a growth engine for the national economy by 2036.
The event at Palashpanga also served as a platform for the Chief Minister to highlight regional development. He noted that Keonjhar, rich in natural resources, is poised for an industrial and infrastructural revolution, including the establishment of a mega steel plant and several high-capacity road projects. As the procurement drive extends to all 30 districts by January 10, the government remains vigilant against unauthorized paddy inflow from neighboring states, with enforcement squads and border checks intensified to protect the interests of local farmers.