Odisha Finalises Robust Framework For Rabi Paddy Procurement In KMS 2025-26

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Monday finalised a comprehensive operational framework for paddy procurement during the Rabi season of Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2025-26, with a strong focus on transparency, digital monitoring and protection of genuine farmers’ interests.

The decisions were taken during a high-level Inter-Ministerial Committee meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo. Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari joined the meeting virtually from Deogarh, while Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta and Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik also participated.

The committee discussed measures to ensure smooth procurement operations across districts and stressed the need to prioritise small and marginal farmers during the procurement process.

To prevent irregularities and curb unauthorized procurement activities, the state government has introduced a series of stringent enforcement and monitoring measures. District Collectors have been directed to conduct daily reviews of procurement operations in coordination with field-level officials and civil society representatives.

Among the key measures announced are strict border surveillance to prevent entry of paddy from neighbouring states, mandatory IRIS-based verification of farmers at mandis and compulsory weighment of paddy only within designated procurement centres.

The government has also introduced a time-bound grievance redressal mechanism under which all complaints uploaded to the Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Department portal must be resolved within 24 hours by designated nodal officers. A toll-free call centre (1967) has also been linked with departmental control rooms for immediate complaint handling and monitoring.

The committee further emphasised the need for robust logistical and infrastructural preparedness to ensure hassle-free procurement operations. Departments including Revenue, Cooperation, Police, Transport and Agriculture have been asked to work in close coordination during the procurement season.

Officials informed that a Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) would be implemented across districts for monitoring transportation and movement of paddy.

District administrations have also been instructed to ensure adequate facilities at Paddy Procurement Centres (PPCs), including rest sheds, drinking water, toilets, proper lighting, CCTV surveillance and sufficient tarpaulins to protect harvested paddy from adverse weather conditions.

In addition, all weighing and testing equipment will be calibrated and certified by the Legal Metrology Department before procurement operations begin.

According to official data presented during the meeting, a total of 18,84,628 farmers sold paddy during Kharif 2025-26, with procurement reaching 77,48,083 metric tonnes. The state recorded a 5.48 per cent increase in procurement and a 14 per cent rise in farmer participation compared to the previous season.

To manage the increasing procurement volumes, the government is expanding the operational capacity of Paddy Procurement Centres across the state. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has also been asked to create additional storage facilities and dedicated godowns in major paddy-producing regions.

Senior officials present at the meeting included Principal Secretary, Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare, Sanjay Kumar Singh; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Cooperation Department, Rajesh Pravakar Patil; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department, Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, along with senior officers from multiple departments.