Bhubaneswar, July 10: Odisha’s surplus rice will be evacuated by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), informed Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Thursday. The announcement came following discussions with Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi.

Addressing the media in Bhubaneswar, Minister Patra stated that the Odisha government has procured a total of 94 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the current procurement season. This paddy will yield approximately 65 lakh metric tonnes of rice after milling.

Out of the total rice produced, the state requires only around 26 lakh metric tonnes for its own consumption under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and other welfare schemes. The remaining 39 lakh metric tonnes will be considered surplus. Of this, 15 lakh metric tonnes will be evacuated by the FCI, ensuring that the stock is efficiently managed and does not go to waste.

The minister emphasized that the coordination between the state and the Centre has helped facilitate smooth procurement and evacuation operations, benefiting farmers and maintaining a stable food grain supply chain.

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