With the kharif operations in Orissa severely hit-first by drought like situation and then by untimely rains-the paddy procurement in the state is expected to fall by around 25 per cent this year.
“Although the exact quantity of procurement will be assessed after seeing the trend in procurement, but we expect it to fall short of the target by 20 to 25 per cent”, said state’s minister for food supply and consumer affairs, SP Nayak.