Odisha's Boost for Farmers: Paddy Procurement at Rs 3,100 per Quintal

Odisha government will procure paddy from farmers at Rs 3,100 per quintal from the upcoming kharif season. Instruction for payment within 48 hours has been issued. The Union government increased MSP of paddy by Rs 117 to Rs 2,300. Odisha targets 79 lakh tonnes for 2023-24 and plans a 'rice ATM' in Bhubaneswar.

In a significant move, the Odisha government will procure paddy from farmers at an enhanced price of Rs 3,100 per quintal starting from the upcoming kharif season, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra announced on Thursday.

Officials have been directed to ensure payments are made to farmers within 48 hours of selling the paddy, Patra informed the media. The announcement follows the Union government's recent decision to hike the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy by Rs 117, setting it at Rs 2,300 per quintal for the 2024-25 kharif marketing season.

Odisha has set a procurement target of 79 lakh tonnes of paddy during the 2023-24 kharif and rabi crop seasons. Moreover, the state will inaugurate a 'rice ATM' in Bhubaneswar to facilitate the smooth distribution of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice. Beneficiaries can insert their PDS cards into the machine to receive their monthly rice quota.

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