Rice procurement target pegged at three million tonne

Out of total target, at least 2.5 MT will be procured by govt procurement agencies

The state government has set rice procurement target at three million tonne for the kharif marketing season of this fiscal.

Out of the total target, at least 2.5 million tonne will be procured by government procurement agencies including Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the balance 0.5 million tonne is to be procured through levy.

The Government of India has fixed minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1310 per quintal for common paddy and Rs 1345 per quintal for Grade-A paddy during this kharif season.

The food & procurement policy for the kharif marketing season for 2013-14 was approved by the State Cabinet.

The state procurement agencies- Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd (OSCSC), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED), Odisha State Cooperative Marketing Federation (MARKFED) and Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation (TDCC) will procure paddy in the state, either directly from the farmers or with the help of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS), Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and pani panchayats.

The government agencies will be allowed to procure paddy from market yards of regulated market committees (RMC). Miller agents will also procure paddy from RMC yards and at their mill gates. Emphasis will be on opening a large number of paddy purchase centres to be run by PACS, SHGs and pani panchayats on behalf of state procurement agencies. The PPCs will be spread evenly through the state.

Superior quality paddy brought by the farmers will be auctioned in the RMC yards where millers, traders and other agencies will participate.

The district cooperative central bank (DCCB) will be appointed as the nodal agency for the PACS to coordinate with OSCSC Ltd. By using PACS, OSCSC Ltd will get Rs 31.25 per quintal of paddy as commission to societies which will be passed on to PACS through DCCBs. This is expected to strengthen PACS and DCCB as well as facilitate immediate payment to the farmers.

Payment to the farmers by government agencies and miller agents will be made through A/C payee cheques or online transfer wherever such facilities are avialable. The farmers will be identified through Kisan Credit Cards, land pass books, record of rights and farmer identity cards.

The state government agencies will submit a computerised list of farmers from whom paddy has been procured along with details on a daily basis to the concerned collectors.

The district collectors have been instructed to prepare a district procurement plan for ensuring even spread of PPCs, availability of equipment at PPCs, quality control training and publicity through media, pamphlets and hoardings.