The Kharif paddy collection for 2018-19 started in the district with the inauguration of the process by district Civil Supplies Officer Udit Patnaik in Sarabahal market yard here on Wednesday in presence of RMC Secretary Akhay Barik and department Deputy Registrar.
Inaugurating the procurement process, CSO Patnaik requested the farmers and officials to make the collection in a disciplined and arranged manner.
Besides, the farmers were also asked to bring dry paddy and millers were asked not to discard the paddy in casual manner.
As per Government directives, it has been targeted to collect 45,882.353 MT of paddy and 31,200 MT rice in the current year and for which as many as 32 Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) and 40 paddy collection centres have been opened.
Sources said that the price of FAQ general quality paddy has been fixed at Rs 1,750 per quintal and Rs 1,770 rupees for grade-A quality paddy.
Directions have been issued to purchase 19 quintals of paddy per acre from irrigated land and 13 quintals per acre from non-irrigated land, added sources.