Odisha's government is set to implement an electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) system aimed at enhancing transparency in the paddy procurement process. This initiative is designed to ensure that only authentic farmers from Odisha can take advantage of the procurement scheme, thereby preventing the influx of paddy from neighboring states.

The decision to adopt the e-KYC system was made during a review meeting led by Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, which focused on the Rabi paddy procurement for the 2024–25 season.

During the meeting, it was reported that the state has already procured 19 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of paddy, surpassing the initial target of 14 lakh MT. This is a significant increase compared to the 12 lakh MT procured during the same timeframe last year.

Odisha is currently offering a price of Rs 3,100 per quintal, which includes both the minimum support price and additional input assistance under the Samruddha Krushak Yojana for Rabi crops.

Furthermore, the state government is contemplating a new paddy procurement policy that may be introduced soon.

Official sources indicate that Odisha requires 27 lakh MT of rice annually for its internal consumption. However, this year, the state has produced a total of 93 lakh MT of paddy across both Kharif and Rabi seasons, which is expected to yield around 63 lakh MT of rice, significantly exceeding the state's needs.

The meeting also addressed strategies for managing the surplus rice, including plans to supply paddy straw and broken rice to ethanol production facilities within the state, facilitating the creation of second-generation ethanol.