Odisha to urge Centre to relax paddy quality norms

Bhubaneswar: The State government has initiated the process to request the Centre for relaxation in fair average quality (FAQ) of paddy.

In a letter to the Agriculture department Secretary on Tuesday, the Food Supplies Secretary has sought details on crop damages so that the later will present a demand before the Centre demanding FAQ relaxation.

Unseasonal rain has created fear among farmers of not getting good prices for their harvest. Some farmers have harvested immature paddy hurriedly fearing rain.

After pest attack, untimely rains have increased the woes of farmers in different districts of the State.

Sources said about 50 per cent paddy and vegetable crops have been damaged due to rain.

On Wednesday, the ruling party slammed the Centre for rejecting Odisha government’s proposal to hike minimum support price (MSP) of paddy.

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The ruling party stated farmers of Odisha would stage protests if the Centre does not reconsider its decision.

The Agriculture Ministry rejected the State’s MSP hike proposal. Instead it has stated in a letter to the State government that if farmers are unhappy with the current MSP, they can sell paddy in the open market.