Odisha targets 20 lakh MT rabi paddy procurement, steps up vigilance against irregularities

Bhubaneswar, May 14: Odisha has set an ambitious target to procure 20 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of paddy during the ongoing rabi procurement season, with the state government tightening monitoring mechanisms to ensure transparency and safeguard the interests of genuine farmers.

The target was finalised during a state-level review meeting on rabi paddy procurement for the 2025-26 Kharif Marketing Season chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Wednesday.

Reviewing the preparedness for procurement operations, Garg directed officials across districts to strictly adhere to procurement guidelines and ensure smooth, transparent, and farmer-friendly functioning at mandis. She warned that stringent action would be taken against any official, miller, cooperative society, or individual found involved in irregularities or malpractices during the procurement process.

The Chief Secretary also stressed the need to strengthen institutional mechanisms to make the procurement system more accountable and efficient.

Officials informed the meeting that Odisha procured 73.45 lakh MT of paddy from 16,60,230 farmers during the 2024-25 Kharif season. The procurement increased to 77.48 lakh MT in the 2025-26 Kharif season, with participation from 18,84,628 farmers, registering a growth of 5.48 per cent over the previous year.

For the ongoing 2025-26 rabi season, as many as 3,75,556 farmers from 20 districts have registered for procurement, compared to 3,38,481 farmers during the previous rabi season, indicating rising farmer participation.

Although the official procurement period is scheduled from May 1 to June 30, district-level paddy procurement committees have decided to begin operations in phases from May 14 in different districts.

The state government reiterated that sharecroppers, small and marginal farmers, and genuine cultivators must receive full benefits under the procurement system. Procurement will be carried out in accordance with the Food and Procurement Policy for Kharif Marketing Season 2025-26 approved by the State Cabinet on October 10, 2025.

To ensure seamless implementation, district administrations will coordinate with departments including Revenue, Cooperation, Police, Transport, Agriculture, Food Supplies, and Consumer Welfare. Enforcement squads will conduct regular inspections, while strict border surveillance measures will be put in place to prevent illegal inflow of paddy from outside Odisha.

A total of 2,472 mandi nodal officers have been deployed across the state to supervise procurement activities and ensure compliance with operational guidelines.

Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd Managing Director K. Sudarshan Chakraborty presented the operational framework for rabi procurement and outlined safeguards aimed at preventing irregularities.

The government has also instructed district authorities to ensure adequate infrastructure at procurement centres, including shelters, drinking water facilities, tarpaulins, essential amenities, and round-the-clock CCTV surveillance.

To strengthen grievance redressal, district control rooms have been integrated with the state headquarters’ Command Control and Complaint Centre (CCCC). Awareness campaigns through IEC activities, mobile messaging services, call centres, and toll-free helpline 1967 will also be intensified to keep farmers informed and address complaints promptly.

With the possibility of an early monsoon this year, district collectors have been specifically directed to make adequate arrangements to protect paddy stocks at mandis from rain and moisture damage.