Argus News - Odisha Records Historic Paddy Procurement of 58.84 Lakh Tonnes; Payments Exceeding Rs 12,916 crore

Bhubaneswar, Feb 19: In what is being seen as one of the most efficient procurement drives in recent years, Odisha has procured a record 58.84 lakh tonnes of paddy during the ongoing Kharif 2025-26 marketing season, benefiting more than 13.69 lakh farmers and ensuring minimum support price (MSP) payments exceeding Rs 12,916 crore.

The scale and speed of procurement underline the state government’s administrative focus on protecting farm incomes. Under the supervision of food supplies and consumer welfare minister Krushna Chandra Patra, the procurement machinery has moved with unusual precision, ensuring that payments reach farmers directly and without delay.

The government has additionally disbursed Rs 3,985.63 crore towards input assistance, providing a parallel financial cushion that has strengthened the rural economy and boosted farmer confidence ahead of the next cropping cycle.

Official figures show that 59.03 lakh tonnes of paddy arrived at mandis across the state as of February 17, of which 58.84 lakh tonnes have already been procured. Millers have lifted 57.20 lakh tonnes for processing, indicating smooth coordination between procurement agencies and millers - a key factor that officials attribute to tighter monitoring and planning this season.

Though about 1.63 lakh tonnes of paddy are still lying in mandis and 1.86 lakh tonnes remain pending for acceptance by millers, authorities said accelerated lifting measures are underway to prevent inconvenience to farmers. The remaining backlog, officials insist, is minor compared to the scale of operations already completed.

District-wise performance reflects the strength of Odisha’s agrarian belt. Bargarh led procurement with over 7.15 lakh tonnes, followed by Kalahandi (6.20 lakh tonnes) and Ganjam (4.83 lakh tonnes). Bolangir, Sambalpur, Subarnapur and Sundargarh also posted strong numbers, reinforcing western Odisha’s role as the state’s grain hub.

“The MSP payments, credited directly to farmers’ bank accounts, are aimed at ensuring transparency and eliminating middlemen. The input assistance component, provided separately, is intended to support farmers in managing cultivation costs and enhancing productivity,” minister Patra said, highlighting the government’s dual focus on procurement and long-term agricultural sustainability.

Officials maintain that the procurement drive is on track to meet its targets within the stipulated timeframe. Enhanced monitoring at mandis, faster lifting by millers and streamlined digital payment systems have together created what many see as a model procurement cycle.

Also Read: Odisha Budget 2026-27 to be Presented today, likely to touch Rs 3.20 Lakh Crore

Agriculture remains the backbone of Odisha’s economy, and the record procurement exercise is expected to inject significant liquidity into rural markets. With MSP payments flowing directly into bank accounts and additional assistance cushioning cultivation costs, the current season is being viewed as a strong endorsement of the state’s farmer-centric policy direction.