Odisha govt to expedite paddy procurement

Total procurement is 172,000 tonne so far against 4.45 mt target

The state government today asked 24 districts collectors to take steps to expedite paddy procurement as the collections have fallen far behind the target due to disputes over purchase target and payment issues.

For 2014-15 kharif marketing season, the government had decided to procure paddy equivalent of 3 million tonne (mt) rice. However, total paddy procurement has been just 172,000 tonnes since the process started on November 14, against the target of 4.45 mt.

“The chief minister today asked the collectors to take steps for smooth functioning of the marketing yards by making surprise visits. He also asked them to take action against millers procuring paddy lower than the fixed rate,” said Sanjay Dasburma, minister for food and civil supplies after attending a video conference meeting with the district collectors along with the chief minister.

The direction from the government follows complaints related to non-payment of procurement prices to farmers in some areas. Earlier this week, the paddy purchase programme was stalled at 118 procurement yards of key rice producing district Bargarh as the online server meant for direct cash transfer to farmers’ account failed to function.

“The CM has ordered to make the payments through account payee cheques wherever possible,” Dasburma added.

In south Odisha, procurement has been halted as farmers protested against the purchase target fixed by the government as per yield capacity of farm land. According to guidelines for food grain procurement, the government will buy 1,200 kg per acre from non-irrigated land and 1,800 kg from irrigated land.

In Koraput and Nabarangpur districts, farmers demanded 2,000 kg procurement per acre as they grow high yielding variety. However, no decision was taken today on this issue in the meeting.

The procurement plan is divided into two phases. While the first phase began on November 14 in 24 districts, the next phase of paddy procurement will begin in January in remaining 6 districts.

Odisha produces close to 8 mt paddy in a year, the fifth largest in the country. While 60 per cent of the total production is processed in the state, the rest amount is exported to other states.

As the state is surplus in rice requirement, the government has initiated steps to attract investments in establishments of integrated rice mills. Under its food processing policy, investors will get subsidy and interest rate subvention for setting up of rice mill having facility to produce rice barn oil and rice husk power along with rice processing facility.