Dhamtari regains its glory as Kharif procurement begins
Raipur. Like the rest of the state, the Kharif procurement year 2025-26 has begun smoothly in Dhamtari district on November 15th. While farmers at procurement centers are beaming with satisfaction and happiness, there’s also an atmosphere of joy among the working families in the villages. Paddy procurement has increased employment and additional income opportunities for rural workers, especially women, revitalizing the village economy.
Women like Ishwari Yadav and Vidya Markam, working at the procurement center in Sambalpur village, are powerful examples of this change. Busy sewing and stuffing paddy sacks, these women say the Kharif season has become a time of hope and self-reliance for them. Five to six women in the village work together to prepare 400 to 500 sacks daily, generating an income of approximately 20,000 to 22,000 rupees for each woman during the season. This income proves to be a vital support in meeting their family’s needs.
These women say that while they previously had to travel outside their villages for labor, the local work available at paddy procurement centers now provides them with safe, convenient, and respectable employment. Payments are made on time and work opportunities are constantly expanding, which has boosted their economic self-reliance and confidence.
The paddy procurement process not only increases farmers’ incomes but also creates extensive employment for porters, transporters, weighers, data-entry operators, and support staff. The smooth and transparent system has made this season a strong foundation for the rural economy. The government’s timely payment of support prices, safe storage arrangements, and improved management at procurement centers have further strengthened the confidence of the rural population. Kharif Procurement 2025-26 is not only a crucial phase of agricultural production, but has also emerged as a catalyst for connecting women to employment, empowering villages, and boosting the local economy.
