Inter-Ministerial Committee Reviews Kharif 2025–26 Paddy Procurement in Odisha

The Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, on Monday reviewed the progress of Kharif 2025–26 paddy procurement at a high-level meeting held at Lokseva Bhavan.

Focus on Farmer Convenience

During the review, the Deputy Chief Minister directed officials to extend full cooperation to farmers and ensure that their grievances are resolved promptly. Officers associated with the procurement process were advised to conduct regular visits to mandis to closely monitor operations and address issues on the ground.

Procurement Underway in 11 Districts

Paddy procurement for the current kharif season is presently underway in 11 districts—Bargarh, Balangir, Boudh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Subarnapur and Sundargarh. Procurement through mandis has already begun in these districts, while collection in other districts will start as per the scheduled timeline.

Over 4.39 Lakh MT Paddy Procured

According to official data, 4,39,294 metric tonnes (MT) of paddy have been procured so far from 97,972 farmers across the state. Bargarh district recorded the highest procurement, with 36,356 farmers selling 1,63,288 MT of paddy. Additionally, 9,41,433 farmers have been issued tokens statewide to facilitate smooth procurement.

Technology-Driven and Transparent Process

To ensure transparency, CCTV cameras have been installed in all mandis, with the entire process being monitored through a 24-hour control room. The government has also strengthened mandi infrastructure, setting up more mandis and developing model mandis as per Central Government standards.

e-KYC is being carried out during registration, and payments are being transferred directly to farmers’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. Vehicle movement from mandis to mills is being tracked live through the VTS application.

Ministers and Officials Present

Several senior ministers, including Suresh Pujari, Rabi Narayan Naik, Krushna Chandra Patra, and Pradeep Bal Samanta, along with senior officials and departmental officers, attended the meeting and shared their views on strengthening the procurement process.