Kharif Paddy Procurement Kicks Off in Bargarh with Record Prices for Farmers | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: State govt launched its kharif paddy procurement process in Bargarh district on Wednesday, implementing the BJP’s poll promise to pay Rs 3,100 per quintal to farmers.
Civil supply minister Krushna Chandra Patra inaugurated the procurement process at Kalapani mandi, assuring farmers of transparent operations and timely payments. The new procurement price includes the minimum support price of Rs 2,300 and an additional bonus of Rs 800 per quintal.
“This is a festival for farmers,” said Patra, adding that strict measures have been implemented to prevent interstate paddy smuggling, including installation of CCTVs at borders and regular patrols.
Bargarh collector Aditya Goyal said 1,55,366 registered farmers have been verified for the season, with a procurement target of 23.54 lakh quintals. “We have deployed sufficient infrastructure and testing equipment, including paddy cleaners in every mandi,” Goyal said.
The administration has introduced grain analyser machines at mandis and promised a middlemen-free procurement process. However, some farmers expressed concerns about the token system.
“There is mismanagement in token distribution. Some farmers who have harvested their crops haven’t received tokens, while others with tokens are yet to harvest,” claimed Suresh Nikanthi, a local farmer.
Govt has already taken action against illegal practices, seizing 500 quintals of hoarded paddy during a recent raid. Officials emphasised that procurement will occur only at designated mandis to ensure fair practices.
Civil supply minister Krushna Chandra Patra inaugurated the procurement process at Kalapani mandi, assuring farmers of transparent operations and timely payments. The new procurement price includes the minimum support price of Rs 2,300 and an additional bonus of Rs 800 per quintal.
“This is a festival for farmers,” said Patra, adding that strict measures have been implemented to prevent interstate paddy smuggling, including installation of CCTVs at borders and regular patrols.
Bargarh collector Aditya Goyal said 1,55,366 registered farmers have been verified for the season, with a procurement target of 23.54 lakh quintals. “We have deployed sufficient infrastructure and testing equipment, including paddy cleaners in every mandi,” Goyal said.
The administration has introduced grain analyser machines at mandis and promised a middlemen-free procurement process. However, some farmers expressed concerns about the token system.
“There is mismanagement in token distribution. Some farmers who have harvested their crops haven’t received tokens, while others with tokens are yet to harvest,” claimed Suresh Nikanthi, a local farmer.
Govt has already taken action against illegal practices, seizing 500 quintals of hoarded paddy during a recent raid. Officials emphasised that procurement will occur only at designated mandis to ensure fair practices.
