Koraput to Begin Rabi Paddy Procurement from June 1, Over 19,000 Farmers Registered.

Report by Nishapati Nayak (Sub-Editor): Koraput, May 8/26 The district-level Rabi paddy procurement committee meeting has decided that paddy procurement will begin in Koraput district from June 1. The meeting was held at the Sadbhabana auditorium under the chairmanship of District Collector Manoj Satyaban Mahajan.

The District Supply Department prepared a draft plan for collecting and purchasing Rabi paddy through mandis. The Collector stated that mandis will open from June 1, and paddy will be procured for about one month at mandis across 13 LAMPS and 3 Pani Panchayats in the district.

According to data, 19,296 farmers in the district have registered for selling paddy. While 8% of the stored rice from last year has been lifted by millers, the remaining rice stock is still in storage. The meeting also discussed strengthening mandi infrastructure and ensuring protection of both paddy and farmers from norwesters and heatwaves.

Koraput MLA Raghuram Machha , Pottangi MLA Ramachandra Kadam, Kotpad MLA Rupu Bhatra, Zilla Parishad President Sasmita Meleka, Special Development Council Chairman Bhagaban Muduli, Jeypore Sub-Collector Jadumani Nayak, Chief District Agriculture Officer Bhabani Shankar Mohapatra, DRCS Manika Ray, along with departmental officials and farmers, attended the meeting. Chief District Supply Officer Manas Ranjan Mohapatra coordinated the meeting.