The Jharsuguda district has created a record in paddy procurement this year. Compared to last year, the paddy purchase in the district has been five times more.
The district administration sources said that during 2019 , target was set for purchase of 17, 647 quintals paddy against which 17,020 quintals paddy was actually purchased. On the other hand, in current Rabi season against a target of 95,588 quintals paddy purchase in four stages, 92,923 quintals has already been purchased. As many as 1,342 farmers have sold paddy through 17 PACS.
The district Supply Department sources revealed that in Durlaga PACS under Jharsuguda Sadar Block, 2,593 quintals paddy has been purchased from 17 farmers against target of 2,596 quintals. Similarly, in Lahandabuda PACS 292 quintals purchased from eight farmers against a target of 370 qunitals and in Sripura Cooperative Society 4,022 quintals purchased from 31 farmers against target of 4,050 quintals. In Kolabira block only, target was set to purchase 2,780 quintals paddy from the area of Samasingha Cooperative Society. But, 2,711 quintals paddy has been purchased there from 32 farmers. In Laikera Block, a target of 7,554 and 4,000 quintals of paddy was set for procurement through two cooperative societies in Laikera and Sahaspur area respectively. But, actually 6,892 quintals from 87 farmers in Laikera PACs and 3,998 quintals from 44 farmers in Sahaspur area was purchased.
The main livelihood in the largest block of the district Lakhanpur is agriculture. Agriculture here is possible through lift irrigation projects as a major portion of the land is located near Hirakud River Dam. This year, the farmers of 11 cooperative societies had registered for paddy sale.
Against a target of 11.560 quintals paddy purchase in Kanaktora PACs, 11,200 quintals has been purchased from 143 farmers. Likewise, in Sunari PACs, 5,561 quintals paddy purchased from 105 farmers against target of 5,974 quintals. In Tilia PACs 1,250 quintals purchased from 21 farmers against target of 1,250 quintals; in Samada PACs 617 quintals purchased from 13 farmers against target of 650 quintals; in Machida PACs, 9,073 quintals purchased from 160 farmers against target of 9,140 quintals; in Bhikampali PACs, 3,579 quintals purchased from 43 farmers against target of 3647 quintals; in Uttarkhol PACs, 1296 quintals purchased against target of 1296 quintals; in Atabira PACs 8,354 quintals purchased from 134 farmers against target of 8, 410 quintals.
District Chief Agriculture Officer Laxminarayan Panigrahi said that in Jharsuguda district inspite of non-availabiltiy of greater irrigation facility, the problem has been solved by increasing the irrigation facility upto 33 per cent through lift irrigation projects, changing direction of the waterfalls etc. Till date, irrigation facility has been provided to 27,880 hectares out of 82 364 hectares cultivable land in the district, Panigrahi added.