Bargarh: The procurement of rabi paddy will start from May 5 in Bargarh district, informed the DRDA project director Batakrushna Dehuri today.
After a meeting here, Dehuri told newsmen, "An unanimous decision has been taken to start the paddy procurement for rabi crop from May 5."
District civil supplies officer Bibekanand Kerkera said, "Even though the rabi paddy procurement starts from May 5 instead of May 1, the process would continue for 45 days as per the procurement norms set by the State government."
Kerkera added a total of 44,000 farmers have registered to take part in the paddy procurement process.
Farmers could sell their crop at the market yards only after showing identity cards.
According to reports, the State government has decided to procure 26 quintals paddy per acre and open 112 market yards in Bargarh, Attabira and Padampur.
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Bargarh MP Prabhas Singh, MLA Debesh Acharya, District Planning Committee chairman Sushant Singh and farmers' representatives were present in the meeting held at the conference hall of the Bargarh district collector office.
It is worth mentioning that paddy procurement for rabi crop will begin from May 1 in other districts of the State.