Odisha set to record bumper Paddy production

Bhubaneswar: Despite reports of crop loss due to drought, unseasonal rain and pest attacks, there would be bumper paddy production in Odisha this year.

Confirming the development, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Surya Narayan Patro on Tuesday stated that already 30 percent excess paddy has been procured so far in the State.

Already nearly 14.32 lakh metric tonnes of paddy have been procured from 2,32,075 registered farmers in the State.

"We hope that the total paddy procurement will cross 70 lakh metric tonnes in the Kharif season as against the target of 56 lakh metric tonne that was fixed earlier," said Patro.

The Minister urged millers to speed up the milling process and complete necessary groundwork within the next two months.

Besides, no paddy will be supplied to 81 millers out of 750 in the State who are yet to return rice against the stock allotted to them in the past, informed sources.