The spectre of distress sale of paddy haunts the farmers of Jajpur district as the Odisha State Civil Supply Corporation (OSCSC) has decided to procure only 24,264 metric tones (MT) of paddy from the farmers through Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (APCSs) in the current harvest season.
Despite the devastating flood after the Phailin this year, the farmers have harvested 2.70 lakh MT paddy in the district. It is also going to increase as the harvest season in on. But the OSCSC’s decision to purchase only 24,264 MT paddy leave a major bulk of paddy unsold and trigger distress sale, said sources.
“last year, the OSCSC had purchased 30,000 MT of paddy from the farmers, but this year, the quantum is even less,” lamented farmer leader Umesh Sahoo, who maintained that the farmers with a big chunk of undisposed paddy would surely go for distress sale as a last resort.
When contacted, an official said, “During the first phase, we have decided to purchase 24,264 MT of paddy from the farmers through the societies. But, again we may go for procuring paddy in another phase. We have entrusted 84 PACSs to procure paddy from the farmers. After purchasing the paddy from the farmers, the PACSs will hand over the paddy to 24 rice mills in the district. The millers will provide us rice.” He informed that the Government has fixed Rs 1,310 per quintal of FAQ (Fair Average Quality) paddy.
Notwithstanding this, it has been reported that some mill owners were purchasing paddy at Rs 1,000 or less per quintal. Madhusudan Jena (54), a farmer of Nalipur village, revealed that he was forced to sell his paddy at Rs 950 a quintal. Another farmer Basanta Das (45) of Chatia said soon he may sell off his unsold stock for as little as Rs 900 a quintal.
“The millers want to delay procurement so that they can fish in the troubled waters. Delay in procurement of paddy would make the farmers impatient and compel them to go for distress sale,” said social worker Dr Manzoor Ali.