Odisha Kharif 2025-26: Farmer Welfare, Model Mandis & Surplus Rice Strategy

In a decisive move to strengthen agricultural infrastructure and empower farmers, Odisha’s Inter-Ministerial Committee convened its first meeting for the Kharif 2025-26 season at Lok Seva Bhavan.

Chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, the session emphasised timely crop procurement, enhanced market access, and post-harvest efficiency.

A standout initiative includes the construction of permanent model mandis, designed to reduce logistical hurdles and improve farmer access to markets.

The state also reported a 29% surge in farmer registrations, attributed to an ₹800 input assistance that has encouraged a shift toward paddy cultivation—even among non-paddy growers.

To manage post-harvest surplus, the committee proposed innovative strategies: supplying broken rice to ethanol plants, distributing free rice to BPL families, and exploring export opportunities.

Infrastructure upgrades are also on the horizon, with plans to expand warehouse capacity and modernise rice mills into hybrid models.

The meeting saw participation from top officials across agriculture, food supplies, finance, and disaster management, underscoring Odisha’s commitment to inter-departmental synergy and agricultural sustainability.