By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:A delegation of Odisha MPs, MLAs and BJP leaders led by Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan met Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi today. They requested him to increase the quantity of paddy rice lifted from 20 lakh metric tonnes to 25 lakh metric tonnes in the interest of Odisha farmers.
A letter in this regard has been submitted to the Departmental Minister, in which it is mentioned that the quantity of paddy procurement of Odisha for Kharif and Rabi seasons for 2024-25 has been increased from 50 lakh metric tonnes to 58 lakh metric tonnes. He expressed gratitude for this. He mentioned that this increase in the quantity of paddy procurement has increased the self-confidence of the farming community of the state and has ensured smooth procurement.
However, Odisha is producing a lot of Ushuna rice especially as the collection work for the Kharif season 2025-26 has started, so the immediate lifting of Ushuna rice is imperative. In this context, it has been requested to increase the lifting capacity of Odisha’s Ushuna rice for both Kharif and Rabi seasons under the Central Pool from the present 20 lakh metric tonnes to 2.5 lakh metric tonnes. The early lifting of this surplus Ushuna rice by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) will be of great benefit to the farmers of Odisha and the national food security system will be further strengthened.
