Odisha has achieved a remarkable milestone in its Rabi procurement for the 2024-25 season, as announced during an inter-ministerial review meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo at Lok Seva Bhawan.
With a target of 14 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), the state has successfully procured 19 LMT of paddy, surpassing last year’s 12 LMT and setting a new record for Rabi season procurement.
Odisha stands out as the only state in India to provide farmers with Rs. 3100 per quintal, combining the Minimum Support Price (MSP) with input assistance under the Samruddh Krushak Yojana for Rabi crops.
To further enhance transparency and ensure benefits reach genuine farmers, the government plans to implement an e-KYC system starting next year. This measure aims to curb the inflow of paddy from neighbouring states, ensuring that only Odisha’s farmers benefit from the procurement process.
The state’s agricultural success extends beyond procurement. Odisha produced a total of 93 LMT of paddy this year, including both Kharif and Rabi seasons, yielding approximately 63 LMT of rice. This significantly exceeds the state’s consumption requirement of 27 LMT. To manage the surplus, the government has devised an innovative plan to utilise paddy straw and broken rice for producing 2G ethanol at state ethanol plants, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
The meeting also highlighted plans for a new paddy procurement policy to streamline future processes. Key attendees included Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, and senior officials such as Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, Managing Director of Supply Corporation Sudarshan Chakraborty, and Director of Agriculture Shubham Saxena.
