Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday met Odisha’s Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra to discuss measures to strengthen paddy procurement, foodgrain management and the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the state.
The meeting focused on improving paddy procurement, storage infrastructure, smooth evacuation and delivery of rice, as well as strengthening the PDS to better serve farmers and beneficiaries.
Joshi said the two sides discussed ways to ensure more efficient foodgrain management in Odisha and reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination between the Centre and the state.
The Union minister said the Centre and Odisha would work together to ensure seamless implementation of measures aimed at strengthening food security and delivering better outcomes for farmers and beneficiaries.
Odisha is among India’s major rice-producing states, making efficient procurement, storage and transportation of paddy and rice important for both farmers and the state’s food distribution network.
The discussions also underlined the importance of ensuring smooth movement of procured rice and strengthening the systems through which foodgrains reach beneficiaries under the PDS.
Centre-State coordination on food security
The meeting comes amid continued efforts to improve foodgrain management and strengthen food security through coordinated action between the Centre and state governments.
Better coordination in procurement, storage and evacuation can help ensure that foodgrains move efficiently through the supply chain, from procurement centres to distribution networks.
Both ministers reiterated their focus on working together to strengthen the foodgrain management system and ensure that farmers and beneficiaries receive the intended benefits.
