The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) would prepare a vision document of rice for Odisha containing all challenges which the State’s farmer, rice mills and exporters are facing and solutions for these challenges. The vision document would also try to provide solutions that are achievable, said ICC Additional Director Madhuparna Bhowmick at an India Rice Conclave 2016 here on Wednesday. In her inaugural speech, she said, “We have already submitted a vision document prepared for West Bengal. We are also planning similar documents for Odisha and Assam.”
She said, “Preparations of the Odisha report have already started. It will be ready within two months, after which we will submit the document to the Odisha Government.”
Attending as chief guest, State MSME Minister Jogendra Behera said Odisha produces 8 million tonnes of paddy per year out of which 4.5 MT is processed. Three districts Bargarh, Sambalpur and Kalahandi account for 50 per cent of rice production.
He also informed that 95 per cent of the processed paddy in Odisha is used for par boiled rice and 5 per cent for raw rice. Most of the rice processing in Odisha is in the MSME sector. More than 95 rice mills are located in Bargarh district. The State Government now gives more focus to establish more rice clusters and mega food processing parks. “India stands top in Basmati rice export.
But for non-Basmati rice to compete with countries like Thailand, the US, Philippines, Vietnam and the UK, our R and D institutes like the CRRI, the OUAT and the CFTRI should take innovative steps,” he added. KIIT University Biotechnology Department Professor Dr Tapan Kumar Adhya, IRRI, Philippines head DR Samarendra Mohanty, OUAT Vice-Chancellor Prof Surendranath Pasupalak and Dr DD Patra from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, also spoke on the occasion. As per USDA, India is the second largest rice producing country after China. States like Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh are well-positioned to export rice to Nepal, Bhutan and other ASEAN countries. The Odisha Government should actively promote the rice varieties by regularly participating in international forums which would help farmers and millers.