SAMBALPUR: Paddy procurement for the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) will begin in the district from November 23. The decision was taken at the District Level Procurement Committee (DLPC) meeting held here on Saturday.
The meeting, chaired by Collector Samarth Verma, resolved that the procurement process in Sadar Sub-division will begin from November 23 while at Kuchinda and Rairakhol sub-divisions, it will start from November 28.
Apart from the existing 64 market yards spread across the district, it was decided to set up eight new yards at Dimirimunda in Jamankira block, Bansajal and Luhapank in Rairakhol block, Rangiatikira and Uchhakapat in Bamra block, Rengali and Jhankarpali in Rengali block besides Tabala in Maneswar block for hassle-free procurement.
Verma said besides Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS), procuring agency Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (OSCSC) will participate in the paddy procurement process. At least 33,157 farmers have registered themselves till November 2 to take part in the Kharif paddy procurement against 29,634 farmers during the KMS last year, he added. He said special drive has been organised in Kuchinda and Rairakhol sub-divisions asking farmers to register themselves for procurement.
He would personally monitor the procurement process on daily basis and ensure that farmers get their dues within seven days, Verma said and sought cooperation from farmers, millers, procuring agencies and officials for smooth procurement of paddy.
However, farmers’ representatives demanded increase of yield rate of paddy per acre fixed by the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department for the current KMS. The department has fixed yield rate of 18 quintal per acre in irrigated area and 12 quintal per acre in non-irrigated area for the current KMS. Among others, Rengali MLA Ramesh Chandra Patua, ZP president Sobhagini Naik, farmer leaders Ashok Pradhan and Umesh Mishra were present.