Include more small, marginal farmers in paddy procurement: Odisha CM

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday directed the concerned officials to facilitate registration of more small and marginal farmers during paddy procurement for 2017 Kharif season.

About 11.5 lakh farmers have registered to sell their paddy so far.

The state government has set a target to procure total 53 lakh metric tonne (MT) of paddy (44 lakh MT in Kharif and 9 lakh MT in Rabi season) during 2017-18. 

Taking a review meeting on paddy procurement, the Chief Minister also directed for early disbursement of payment to the farmers.

This year, the Union government has increased the minimum support price (MSP) for both common and Grade-A variety. The MSP for common variety has been increased to Rs 1550 per quintal whereas it is Rs 1590 for grade-A.