Argus News - Inter-Ministerial Panel Monitors Paddy Procurement in 11 Odisha Districts

Bhubaneswar, Dec 24: An inter-ministerial committee chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Wednesday reviewed the progress of Kharif 2025–26 paddy procurement in Odisha, directing officials to ensure smooth operations and quick resolution of farmers’ grievances.

Officials informed the meeting that paddy procurement through mandis is currently underway in 11 districts of the state — Bargarh, Balangir, Boudh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Subarnapur and Sundargarh. Procurement in other districts will begin as per the scheduled dates.

As of Monday, the state has procured 4,39,294 metric tonnes of paddy from 97,972 farmers through various mandis. Bargarh district recorded the highest procurement, with 36,356 farmers selling 1,63,288 metric tonnes of paddy. Officials said 9,41,433 farmers across the state have already been issued tokens to facilitate procurement.

The deputy chief minister instructed departmental officers to make regular field visits to mandis and ensure farmers receive timely assistance. He emphasised that the procurement process must remain transparent and farmer-friendly.

To strengthen monitoring, CCTV cameras have been installed in all mandis, and procurement activities are being tracked round the clock through a 24-hour control room. Officials said mandi infrastructure has been upgraded this year, with several centres developed as model mandis in line with standards prescribed by the central government.

To ensure transparency and timely payments, the state has adopted e-KYC during farmer registration, and procurement payments are being credited directly to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. Vehicles transporting paddy from mandis to rice mills are also being monitored through live GPS tracking.

The meeting was attended by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister of State Pradeep Bal Samanta, and senior officials from concerned departments, including Principal Secretary of Agriculture Department Arabinda Kumar Padhee.

Kharif vs Rabi crops
Kharif crops are grown during the monsoon season, with sowing beginning around June–July and harvesting taking place between September and November. These crops depend largely on rainfall. Paddy, maize and pulses are major Kharif crops in Odisha.

Rabi crops are cultivated in the winter season. Sowing starts after the monsoon, usually in October–November, and harvesting occurs between March and April. Rabi crops rely mainly on irrigation. In Odisha, paddy is predominantly grown as a Kharif crop, with limited Rabi paddy cultivation in irrigated areas.

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How Paddy Procurement Happens in Odisha
Paddy procurement in Odisha is carried out under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system. Farmers must register in advance, after which they are issued tokens specifying the date and mandi for selling paddy. Procurement is conducted through mandis operated by cooperatives and self-help groups. After weighing and quality checks, payments are transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer, reducing delays and intermediaries.