Odisha BJP delegation including Union Minister Dharmendra, MPs and MLAs demand to increase parboiled rice procurement
A delegation of Odisha MPs, MLAs and BJP leaders led by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi today.
New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: A delegation of Odisha MPs, MLAs and BJP leaders led by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi today. During their meeting, they requested the Union Minister to increase parboiled rice procurement from Odisha from 20 lakh metric tonnes to 25 lakh metric tonnes.
A letter in this regard has been submitted to the departmental minister, which states that Odisha’s paddy procurement for Kharif and Rabi seasons for 2024-25 has been increased from 50 lakh metric tonnes to 58 lakh metric tonnes. Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his gratitude for this. He mentioned that this increase in paddy procurement has increased the self-confidence of the farming community of the state and ensured smooth procurement.
Highlighting that Odisha produces a large quantity of parboiled rice, Pradhan stressed the need for early lifting of surplus stocks, especially as procurement for the 2025–26 Kharif season has begun.
Pradhan said enhanced and timely procurement by the Food Corporation of India would directly benefit farmers and further strengthen the national food security system.
