In a novel move, for the first time in Odisha, free canteens for farmers have been opened near paddy purchase centers to provide mid-day meal to those who bring their produce from remote villages.
The canteens have been set up in Gajapati district and at least four such canteens have been opened at Paralakhemundi, Kashinagar, Upalada and Garabandh, a district administration official said on Monday.
Vegetable meals prepared by the women self help groups (WSHGs) of the areas are being served to the farmers at the free canteens being run by the Paralakhemundi regulated market committee (RMC), Gajapati collector Lingraj Panda said.
“We have launched the canteen system to provide free lunch to farmers who come to the procurement centers with their produce and cannot return home for their meal,” Panda said.
Apart from food, free soft drinks and pure water are also being provided to the farmers at the procurement centers by the RMC.
He said, “The objective of this program is that farmers do not face problems while visiting mandis with their produce. We plan to open at least 10 to 15 such canteens in the district in the coming days.”
There are 66 mandis in Gajapati district to procure paddy from 14,320 farmers who have registered willingly to supply their products. As many as 21 WSHGs have also been engaged in the paddy procurement activity.
