Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to support farmers and honor its commitments to the people, the Odisha government has announced an additional input assistance of ₹800, raising the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy to ₹3,100 per quintal. This landmark decision aims to benefit thousands of farmers in the state, ensuring better returns for their hard work.
To officially launch the scheme, the Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare will host a grand event at Sohela in Bargarh district, which will be attended by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Elaborate arrangements have been made for the event, with thousands of farmers expected to participate.
Key dignitaries at the event include Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Minister of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, Science and Technology Krushna Chandra Patra, and Minister of Cooperatives, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Pradeep Bal Samanta. Ministers, MPs, and MLAs from across various districts will also attend the launch, with events in multiple regions to be graced by senior officials.
For instance, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti, Pravati Parida will attend the event in Puri, while the Minister for Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water, and Rural Development, Rabi Narayan Naik will be present in Sambalpur. Other key ministers will attend the event in their respective districts, further demonstrating the government’s widespread commitment to supporting farmers.
The state government is already implementing a transparent process for paddy procurement during the Kharif season. Farmers who register for the scheme will receive tokens ahead of the procurement, and the MSP is directly credited to their bank accounts within 48 hours. Additionally, basic facilities are being provided at every mandi to ensure smooth operations.
To ensure proper monitoring of the procurement process, nodal officers have been assigned to each mandi. Farmers can register any complaints or concerns via the 1967 helpline. Moreover, a special task force has been established in border districts to prevent lorries carrying paddy from outside the state from entering Odisha’s territory, ensuring that only local produce is included in the procurement process.
This move is expected to enhance the economic condition of farmers, reduce distress among the farming community, and bolster agricultural growth in the state. The government’s initiative is a testament to its commitment to providing better support for farmers and ensuring food security for the state.