Bhubaneswar: Odisha has achieved a record Rabi paddy procurement of approximately 19 LMT for the 2024-25 season, significantly surpassing its target of 14 LMT. This marks a substantial increase from last year’s 12 LMT procurement, highlighting a robust agricultural season for the state. The announcement came during an inter-ministerial review meeting held today at Lok Seva Bhawan, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, as the procurement process concluded.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that Odisha stands as the sole state providing Rs 3100 per quintal to farmers, combining both Minimum Support Price (MSP) and input assistance under the “Samruddh Krushak Yojana” for the Rabi crop. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive support to the state’s farmers.
To enhance transparency in the paddy procurement process and curb the inflow of paddy from neighboring states, the government announced the upcoming implementation of an e-KYC system for farmers. This measure is expected to ensure that only genuine beneficiaries within the state receive the intended support. Furthermore, the government is actively considering the introduction of a new policy for paddy procurement in the near future, signaling a proactive approach to agricultural governance.
Discussions also focused on the management of the state’s significant rice surplus. While Odisha requires approximately 27 LMT of rice for its own consumption, the total paddy production this year, encompassing both Kharif and Rabi crops, has reached an impressive 93 LMT. This is projected to yield an average of 63 LMT of rice, far exceeding the state’s demand. To manage this surplus, arrangements are being made to utilize paddy straw and broken rice for the production of 2G ethanol at existing ethanol plants within the state, promoting sustainable resource utilization.
The high-level meeting saw the presence of several key ministers, including Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Shri Suresh Pujari, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Shri Krushna Chandra Patra, and Commerce and Transport Minister Shri Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, who conducted a departmental review. Senior officials, including Principal Secretary, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, Managing Director, Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Shri Sudarshan Chakraborty, and Director, Agriculture and Food Production Shri Shubham Saxena, also attended the crucial review.