Odisha to set up 6,000 threshing floors

In its bid to raise FAQ (fair average quality) of paddy in the state, Odisha government today decided to set up 6,000 threshing floors at an investment of Rs 544 crore.
The threshing floors would be constructed mostly in coastal areas and in paddy producing districts in the state, said a senior official in cooperation department.
"Construction of threshing floors will be completed within three years. Work for the floors will start from next fiscal," he said, adding the decision was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Food Corporation of India (FCI) refused to lift paddy being harvested from Odisha as it often raised questions on FAQ of Odisha paddy and the government as per operational guidelines under the state plan scheme decided to set up the threshing floors, he said.

There will be one threshing floor available for each 5,000 farmers and agriculture and cooperation departments will jointly develop them.
The size of each threshing floor will be 520 square meters or 400 sq meters keeping in view the demands, he said.
While threshing floor projects involving more than Rs 10 lakh would be awarded through e-auction, local officials can give work orders to contractors for those with less amount, he added.