The Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC) has announced a major paddy procurement initiative in Kendrapada district, with plans to acquire 81,200 metric tonnes of the crop from local farmers beginning January 9 next year.
Massive Procurement Drive Launched
District Civil Supplies Officer Benudhar Panigrahi confirmed that all 118 primary agriculture cooperative societies (PACS) have been entrusted with the responsibility of procuring the substantial quantity of paddy during the first phase of operations. The official emphasized that this initial procurement represents just the beginning, with additional purchases planned for later stages.
Authorities have established a fixed rate of Rs 3,100 per quintal for fair average quality (FAQ) paddy, providing significant financial relief to the agricultural community.
Enhanced Financial Benefits for Farmers
The pricing structure offers substantial benefits to Kendrapada's farming community. While the standard minimum support price (MSP) stands at Rs 2,369 per quintal for common variety paddy and Rs 2,389 for Grade A quality, the state government's additional input assistance of Rs 800 per quintal brings the total payment to the attractive Rs 3,100 figure for both varieties.
This enhanced compensation package demonstrates the government's commitment to supporting agricultural livelihoods and ensuring fair returns for farmers' hard work.
Farmer Registration and Compliance Measures
The procurement drive has already generated significant interest among the farming community, with 52,092 farmers having registered online to participate in the paddy selling program. Officials expect this number to increase as the January start date approaches.
Panigrahi issued a stern warning to non-compliant rice mill owners, stating that stringent action would be taken against those who violate OSCSC rules and norms. This firm stance aims to ensure a transparent and fair procurement process that prioritizes farmers' interests.
Agricultural Challenges and Concerns
Despite the promising procurement initiative, the agricultural sector in Kendrapada faces several challenges. Farmers have cultivated paddy across 1,17,554 hectares of the district's total 1,42,165 hectares of agricultural land, demonstrating the crop's economic importance to the region.
Farmer leader Umesh Chandra Singh highlighted a persistent problem where many farmers resort to distress sales at throwaway prices to rice mill owners to meet immediate financial needs. He urged authorities to implement measures that would prevent such exploitative practices and protect farmers' economic interests.
Adding to the concerns, unseasonal rainfall between October and November caused significant damage to paddy crops in multiple blocks including Rajnagar, Pattamundai, Rajkanika, Aul, and Mahakalapada. Nagendra Jena, a farmer from Kalapada village, expressed worry that the weather damage might make it difficult for many cultivators to harvest paddy that meets the fair average quality standards required for the procurement program.
The comprehensive procurement initiative represents a crucial economic lifeline for Kendrapada's agricultural community, offering stable pricing and organized market access that could significantly improve farmers' financial stability in the region.
