Odisha to Seal Borders for Kharif Paddy Procurement Next Month

Bhubaneswar, October 15, 2024: The Odisha government announced on Tuesday that it will seal its borders with neighboring states when the kharif paddy procurement begins next month. The move aims to prevent the influx of paddy from other states into Odisha, ensuring that local farmers benefit fully from the procurement process.

The decision was made during a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, with ministers and departmental secretaries in attendance. The state government plans to procure paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal, including a Rs 800 bonus per quintal, over the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 2,300.

The additional bonus fulfills a promise made by the BJP before the state elections, offering farmers a better deal at government mandis. This initiative is expected to benefit thousands of farmers across Odisha during the upcoming kharif season.