New Chapter in Women Empowerment: WSHGs to Be Engaged in Paddy Procurement in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Adding a new chapter in women empowerment, the Odisha Government has decided to engage Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs) in procurement of paddy across the State.

A proposal in this regard has been approved by the Odisha Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here today.

The Odisha Government has set a target of procuring 60 lakh metric tones of paddy  including 41 lakh metric tones in terms of rice during the Khariff Marketing Seasons (KMS)  2019-20.

Around 50 lakh metric tonnes of paddy will be collected in Kharif season starting from October 1, 2019, while 10 lakh metric tonnes of paddy to be collected in coming Rabi season.

The Cabinet has approved the Food and Procurement Policy for 2019-20, which would regulate all aspects of paddy and rice procurement during 2019-20 Khariff Marketing season.

This year, around 10 lakh farmers from across the State have been registered with Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation. Paddy is procured from the farmers by payment of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and is milled through Customers Millers. During 2018-19 Khariff season, the State Government had procured 65.49 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from farmers.

As per the decision, the dues will be cleared online through DBT mode within 24 to 48 hours of sale of the paddy crop.

Earlier, the State Government had involved WSHGs under Mission Shakti in procurement of paddy in Kalahandi district for the first time. Nearly 17 WSHGs were engaged in 17 gram panchayats for the paddy procurement. The project was very successfully piloted in the district.
The WSHGs will play a major role in paddy procurement across the State this season.