Berhampur: Procurement of Kharif paddy in Ganjam district would commence from December 15.
It was revealed at a meeting of the district level paddy procure committee held on Thursday through video-conferencing.
Ganjam collector Vijay Amrit Kulange said they had achieved 88% of the target of 37,42,231.20 quintal paddy procurement last year. This season, they hope to achieve the target and have decided to open grievance cell at each block to facilitate the farmers, he added.
Total 1,39,649 farmers in the district have registered their names for the procurement. At least 389 PACS, 51 women self-help groups (SHG) and one Pani Panchayat will be involved in the procurement operations.
Minister for Forest, Environment and Parliamentary Affairs Bikram Arukh stressed on giving the dues to the farmers within 24 to 48 hours. “Everybody must obey the COVID-19 regulations during the procurement process,” he said.
Speaker of Odisha Assembly Surjya Narayan Patra and all MLAs of the district attended the meeting.