Cooperative System to Be Strengthened for Farmers’ Welfare: PACS to facilitate milk and vegetable procurement; focus on smooth paddy procurement

Nuapada, September 30: A meeting of the District Cooperative Development Committee was held at the District Collectorate Conference Hall under the chairmanship of Collector Madhusudan Dash, with a focus on strengthening the cooperative system in Nuapada district and making it more beneficial and farmer-friendly. At the outset, Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies Siba Prasad Swain welcomed the participants and outlined the objectives of the meeting. The meeting reviewed the availability, supply and sale of fertilisers in the district. The Collector expressed satisfaction over the availability of fertilisers and stressed that urea and other fertilisers must not be sold above the prescribed Maximum Retail Price (MRP). Officials were asked to ensure proper monitoring of the distribution and sale of fertilisers. To provide better market access to farmers and reduce their dependence on middlemen, it was decided to facilitate milk procurement from farmers through PACS and supply it to Omfed. Similarly, steps will be taken to procure vegetables from farmers through PACS to help prevent distress sale and explore home-delivery-based marketing arrangements. The meeting also discussed preparations for paddy procurement during the Kharif and Rabi seasons. A committee headed by the Additional District Magistrate will be constituted to address issues related to paddy procurement and ensure better coordination among the concerned departments. The committee will include the Sub-Collector, Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies (DRCS), Chief Supply Officer (CSO), RMC Secretary, ARCS and the Executive Engineer of TPWODL as members. The Collector also stressed the need to ensure essential facilities such as toilets, drinking water and rest areas at paddy procurement centres. Concerned departments and agencies were directed to work in coordination so that farmers do not face difficulties while selling their paddy. As part of efforts to make cooperative institutions more diversified and service-oriented, the meeting also discussed the possibility of opening Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras and Pashu Aushadhi Kendras at PACS-level institutions. Chief District Veterinary Officer Sukhendu Ray, Chief District Agriculture Officer Pranatirani Pradhan, Chief District Fisheries Officer Tushar Deep, LDM Harishankar Nial, Assistant Director of Handicrafts Manas Kumar Patel, along with officials from various concerned departments, attended the meeting.