Co-op societies a boon for paddy procurement in Kalahandi

The Pioneer, Dec 27, 2009
Bikash Khemka | Bhawanipatna

Initially when the paddy procurement for 2009-10 kharif season started here in Kalahandi, farmers had a hue and cry before the district administration. But now it appears that the administration has put its special effort when it decided to allow self help co-operative societies to lift the procurement.

The Government had targeted 74 Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society (PACS) for procurement of paddy from November 10 on behalf of Orissa State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC) Limited who is acting as a commission agent now.

The district administration had also allowed simultaneously one Samrudhee Self Help Co-operative Ltd on November 23 for paddy procurement in three points (paddy purchase centre) on behalf of OSCSL who would also act as a commission agent like PACS.

When Samrudhee brought a good response before the administration, Collector RS Gopalan had ordered it to procure in another eight points (mandi). Following this it has gained a momentum again in addition to nine points by the officials here on December 24 where farmers have warmly welcomed the Government’s decision.

It is now lifting paddy at total 20 points under 11 blocks in the district with procurement of 1,04,203 quintal 52 kg paddy till December 24. Chairman Sanjeev Pradhan of Sasmrudhee Self-Help Co-operative Limited told The Pioneer that they are quite efficient to handle more points in the district provided the transport facilities are smoothened. The shortage of trucks for loading paddy from the mandi has been a major concern for us, he said.