Odisha Sets New Record in Rabi Paddy Procurement for 2024–25, Surpasses Target by 5 Lakh Metric Tonnes

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has achieved a record-breaking Rabi paddy procurement of nearly 19 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), significantly surpassing the initial target of 14 LMT for the 2024–25 season. This milestone was highlighted during an inter-ministerial review meeting held today at Lok Seva Bhawan under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo.

Officials noted that this year’s procurement figures represent a substantial increase from last year’s Rabi season, during which 12 LMT of paddy was procured. The Deputy Chief Minister attributed this success to timely planning, robust procurement mechanisms, and the state’s commitment to ensuring farmers receive fair value for their produce.

Odisha has emerged as the only state in the country to offer ₹3,100 per quintal—covering both Minimum Support Price (MSP) and input assistance—to Rabi paddy farmers under the Samruddh Krushak Yojana, further incentivising production and supporting agricultural livelihoods.

To ensure transparency and prevent the inflow of paddy from neighbouring states, the Odisha government announced plans to implement an e-KYC system for farmers. This digital verification mechanism is expected to benefit genuine local cultivators and streamline the procurement process. Additionally, discussions are underway to introduce a new paddy procurement policy in the near future, aimed at enhancing efficiency and accountability.

During the meeting, it was revealed that Odisha’s total paddy production for the current year—combining both Kharif and Rabi crops—stands at a staggering 93 LMT, which will yield approximately 63 LMT of rice. With the state’s own annual rice requirement at only 27 LMT, officials focused on managing the surplus effectively.

In a significant development, the government is working on converting paddy straw and broken rice into 2G ethanol through state-based ethanol plants, as part of a sustainable strategy to utilize agricultural by-products and reduce wastage.

The review meeting was attended by key cabinet ministers, including Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, and Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena. Senior bureaucrats present included Food Supplies Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, OSCSC Managing Director Sudarshan Chakraborty, and Director of Agriculture and Food Production Shubham Saxena.