Bhubaneswar, Odisha : The first meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for procurement of Kharif 2025-26 was held today at the conference room of Lok Seva Bhavan under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Energy, Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Singh Deo emphasized placing farmers’ convenience at the forefront of all planning for the Kharif season. He instructed officials to ensure smooth procurement processes, timely payment, and easy access to procurement centres. The government plans to complete the procurement of Kharif crops by the end of November, and officials are preparing a detailed roadmap to ensure effective implementation.
The committee decided to construct permanent model mandis with inter-departmental coordination to enhance the procurement infrastructure. These mandis aim to simplify the process for farmers, provide better storage facilities, and reduce post-harvest losses. Officials also discussed building additional warehouses through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Cooperation Department, and State Warehousing Corporation to ensure efficient post-purchase management of paddy.
Officials reported a 29 percent increase in farmer registration compared to last year. The government’s additional input assistance of Rs 800 encouraged many non-paddy farmers to shift to paddy cultivation. This reflects the growing trust of farmers in government schemes and support measures.
The meeting addressed the management of surplus rice, which includes supplying broken rice to ethanol plants, distributing free rice to families below the poverty line through various schemes, and exporting excess rice to other countries. Officials also discussed opening new rice mills and upgrading existing ones to hybrid facilities to increase efficiency.
The meeting saw the participation of Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Shri Suresh Pujari, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Shri Krushna Chandra Patra, Cooperation Minister Shri Pradeep Bal Samanta, Chief Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja, Additional Chief Secretary Shri Hemant Kumar Sharma, Principal Secretary Finance Shri Sanjeev Kumar Mishra, Agriculture Secretary Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Food Supplies Secretary Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, and Commissioner cum Secretary Cooperation Shri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil. The officials shared insights and suggestions to strengthen the preparedness for the Kharif season.
The committee reiterated the government’s focus on farmer-centric policies, modernized mandis, and efficient rice management. The proactive steps outlined in the meeting reflect the administration’s commitment to supporting farmers, improving crop procurement, and ensuring food security in Odisha.
Also Read : Odisha Extends Farmer Registration for Kharif Paddy
