Bhubaneswar, Sep 8: The Odisha government has kicked off preparations for the Kharif 2025-26 crop procurement season with its first inter-ministerial committee meeting held at Lok Seva Bhavan.

Chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister KV Singh Deo, the session emphasized farmer-centric strategies and infrastructure upgrades to ensure a smooth and efficient procurement process.

Singh Deo directed officials to prioritize farmer convenience and announced plans to establish permanent model mandis through coordinated efforts across departments. The government aims to complete procurement by the end of November, with a detailed roadmap already in progress.

A key highlight was the 29% surge in new farmer registrations, attributed to the ₹800 input assistance provided by the state. This incentive has encouraged many non-paddy cultivators to shift to paddy farming, promising a robust harvest season.

Post-harvest management was another focal point. The committee decided to expand warehouse infrastructure in collaboration with FCI, the Cooperation Department, and the State Warehousing Corporation.

For surplus rice, innovative strategies were discussed, including: supplying broken rice to ethanol plants for biofuel production, distributing free rice to BPL families under welfare schemes, and exploring export opportunities to international markets.

Additionally, the government plans to open new rice mills and upgrade existing ones into hybrid facilities to enhance milling capacity.

The meeting saw participation from key ministers and officials, including Suresh Pujari (Revenue & Disaster Management), Krushna Chandra Patra (Food Supplies), Pradeep Bal Samanta (Cooperation), Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, and others, who shared insights and suggestions for a successful procurement season.

This proactive approach signals Odisha’s commitment to empowering farmers and strengthening its agricultural supply chain.