Odisha to install quality analyser machine to end farmers’ ‘katni-chhatni’ woes in paddy procurement  

In a piece of good news for paddy farmers, they will no longer suffer due to the notorious practice of ‘katni-chhatni’ by millers as the government has decided to install quality analyser machines at paddy procurement centres (mandi), Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) and Large Area Multipurpose Societies (LAMPS). 

After the government increased the paddy MSP to Rs 3100 per quintal, the Supply department is going to install quality analyser machines at paddy procurement centres (mandi), Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) and Large Area Multipurpose Societies (LAMPS) whereby the millers’ practice of ‘katni-chhatni’ can be done away with. The farmers are expected to get the right value for their produce. 

“We are welcoming the government’s step. If the machine is installed across Odisha, farmers would benefit immensely,” said Santosh Mohapatra, a farmer of Soro. A farmer from Jaleswar, Narayan Dasmohapatra echoed the same. 

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However, a farmer from Bargarh district, Ramesh Mohapatra had a different opinion. 

“After the installation of the quality analyser machine, if the millers force farmers to endure ‘katni chhatni’ of two to three kilograms on the pretext of quality, there would be severe agitation against this,” said Mohapatra. 

Informing about the government’s initiative, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said, “With the installation of quality analyser machine, the ‘katni-chhatni’ can fully be avoided.”

The millers too welcomed the move of the government. 

“With the installation of quality analyser machines, we are sure that we will get FAQ rice. In that case, there will be no question of ‘katni-chhatni," said a miller.