In a boost for Odisha’s farming community, Rabi paddy procurement kicked off in full swing today in Bargarh district, bringing smiles to thousands of farmers who have been waiting to sell their hard-earned harvest.
The state government’s proactive drive is already covering 20 districts this season, with four more districts set to join the procurement process on May 15.
According to official figures, Bargarh has seen an impressive 1,05,494 farmers register for the procurement, out of which 96,377 have already received their tokens. The remaining four districts are also gearing up: Balasore with 38,113 registered farmers, Puri with 22,236, Sambalpur with 19,113, and Cuttack with 3,518. Tokens are being issued today after thorough verification, and extensive ground-level preparations are in place to make the process seamless.
Nodal officers have been stationed at every mandi to ensure smooth operations and transparency. Keeping the scorching summer heat and the threat of unseasonal rains in mind, district administrations have rolled out farmer-friendly facilities, including temporary sheds, drinking water points, and CCTV surveillance at all procurement centres.
Farmers can look forward to quick and transparent payments – Rs 3,100 per quintal (including Minimum Support Price and input subsidy) credited directly into their bank accounts within just 48 hours of sale. This timely support is expected to provide much-needed financial relief and encourage higher productivity in the coming seasons.
The state’s focused efforts underscore its commitment to standing firmly with Odisha’s farmers, ensuring their produce fetches fair value without delays.
