Odisha to set up Model Mandis to provide seamless platforms to farmers & traders

Bhubaneswar, Aug 13 (UNI) The Odisha cabinet today approved a proposal to implement a new State Plan Scheme for setting up “Model Mandi” in the state.

Briefing newsmen after the cabinet, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja said these Model Mandis have been designed to provide seamless and efficient platforms for farmers, traders and other stakeholders by integrating all essential marketing activities under one roof, with upgraded infrastructure and digital systems.

He said the main objective of the Scheme is to develop an efficient Agri-marketing ecosystem by providing integrated and modern Agri-marketing infrastructure, promoting transparency in agricultural trade, facilitating direct market linkages, utilising updated technological know-how, so that ultimately, farmers can fetch better prices for their produce.

These Model Mandis will have modern storage space, raised concrete drying platforms, cover sheds, quality testing kiosks, cooling chambers, farmers’ rest-sheds, clean toilets, separate facilities for women farmers, eateries/canteens, Vending Zones, Bank Branches & ATMs, proper vehicle parking space, electronic weigh bridges, retail outlets relevant to the farming community, waste disposal facility.

Ahuja said Odisha is undertaking significant reforms in Agri-marketing sector to increase the accessibility of agricultural markets to farmers, reduce post-harvest losses and ensure fair prices
to farmers.

The Cooperation Department of the State is also involved in procurement of paddy directly from farmers in a massive scale through its Paddy Procurement Centres (PPCs) for ensuring MSP, he added

The existing Mandis of the State under the Cooperation Department have been revisited in terms of scale & type of marketing operations in paddy and other agriculture produce for setting up need-based quality infrastructure for farmers to address the marketing need of the locality.

The Officers of the Department have been deputed to each district of the State to identify the locations for development of Model Mandis and after rigorous ground work, 38 mandis have
been identified in the first phase, for this purpose, across all the 30 districts.

The 38 proposed Model Mandis include 14 large, 17 medium & 7 small Mandis.

In the next phase, another 62 mandis will be developed as model mandis and the process of identification has already started.

These Model Mandis will be developed by Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation Ltd. (OBCC).

Odisha State Agricultural Marketing Board (OSAM Board) will monitor the progress by establishing a Project Monitoring Cell (PMC) and obtaining services of any professional agency, if required.
The Department has done preliminary estimates for these 38 mandis and it has been proposed to establish these mandis in the financial year 2025-26 and 2026-27 with an approximate cost of Rs. 300.00 crores.

Out of this gross amount, Rs 150.00 crores will be mobilised from the resources of Regulated Market Committees (RMCs) under OSAM Board and Rs. 150.00 crores will be provisioned from the State Plan Scheme.

The Chief Secretary said the Department has already made provision of Rs 50 crores under this scheme in the current financial year.