The State Government on Wednesday claimed that it procured four per cent more paddy during the last Kharif season despite drought.
“We reviewed the preparations for paddy procurement for Rabi season and also the achievements of the Kharif season. In the Kharif season, 41.69 lakh tonnes of paddy was procured, which is around 4 per cent higher than the corresponding period in the previous season. We are targeting 7 lakh tonne in terms of rice in the Rabi season. If the need arises, the target will be increased,” said Food Supplies Secretary Madhusudan Padhi.
Padhi too informed that paddy procurement for Rabi season will begin in 19 districts in the second week of May and continue till June 30.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the State level paddy procurement committee on Wednesday.
According to sources, the paddy procurement target for the Rabi season has been set at 10.29 metric tonnes.