Orissa to procure 32 lakh tonne rice in 2009-10

Despite scanty rainfall in districts like Deogarh, Sundergarh, Koraput, Malkangiri and Jharsuguda, the Orissa government hopes to procure 32 lakh tonne rice during the Khariff marketing season 2009-10.

The Primary Agricultural Co-operative Societies (PACs), self help groups (SHGs) and Pani Panchayats will be involved in the procurement process, Sarada Prasad Nayak, state minister for food supplies and consumer welfare department, Orissa government, said. The procurement target includes 17 lakh tonne to be procured by the Orissa State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC), 3 lakh tonne each by Orissa State Co-operative Marketing Federation (MARKFED), National Agriculture Co-operative Federation (NAFED), 1 lakh tonne by Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Orissa Ltd. (TDCC). Besides, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is targeted to procure 8 lakh tonne during the 2009-10 khariff season.

Announcing the procurement policy of the state government for the khariff season 2009-10, the minister said, OSCSC will provide funds to PACs for procurement. They will be able to earn 2.5 percent as society commission for purchase of paddy, which will ensure immediate payment and strengthen PACs, the minister added.

He said, out of 32 lakh tonne procurement target, 30 lakh tonne will be procured through the government agencies including FCI and the balance 2 lakh tonne will be procured through levy procurement. The government intends to set up paddy purchase centres in every Gram Panchayat and payments will be made through accounts payee cheque.

However, in view of the reluctance of FCI to procure boiled rice, the state government has fixed a target of producing 8 lakh tonne pre-boiled rice during the current year. FCI had lifted only 70,000 tonne of rice from the state during the last year.

The collectors of the districts have been instructed to prepare a district procurement plan for ensuring even spread of paddy purchase centres, availability of equipments in these centres and quality control training.

Further, to take care of the grievances of the farmers pertaining to procurement, the government is in the process of introducing a toll free number soon. All the state government agencies have been asked to submit a computerised list of farmers who sell paddy with relevant details on a daily basis, Nayak said.

It may be noted, the state government procured about 30 lakh tonne rice during the last year against a target of 31 lakh tonne. Manoj Ahuja, secretary, food supplies and consumer welfare department was present during the media briefing by the minister.