Bhubaneswar, Jan 1: Odisha’s Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Thursday said that the Union Government has agreed to procure an additional 6 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of rice from the state, easing concerns over surplus stockpiling up in warehouses.

Speaking to reporters, Minister Patra said the procurement will include 5 lakh MT of boiled rice and is expected to be completed by April. “Odisha currently has a surplus of 7 lakh MT of rice. With the Centre agreeing to procure 6 lakh MT, the remaining 1 lakh MT will be sold through auction,” he stated.

Officials noted that the Centre typically procures around 50 lakh MT of rice from Odisha annually. The additional procurement comes at a time when paddy collection is underway across 18 of the state’s 30 districts. So far, 10.50 lakh MT of paddy has been procured from approximately 2.30 lakh farmers during the ongoing kharif season.

The Minister highlighted that the state government has already disbursed Rs2,350 crore to farmers as Minimum Support Price (MSP) and input assistance. Paddy procurement will continue until March, ensuring that all registered farmers are covered under the scheme.

During a review meeting held on Wednesday evening, Minister Patra directed officials to expedite the procurement process while maintaining transparency. He also stressed the need to address allegations of irregularities promptly and take corrective measures.

The announcement is expected to provide relief to farmers and warehouse operators, who had raised concerns about storage constraints due to surplus stocks. The move also underscores the Centre’s continued support to Odisha’s agricultural sector, which remains a key contributor to the country’s food security.