The most awaited paddy procurement for the current kharif season in Bargarh district, a part of the Hirakud command area, began on Tuesday.
“The district has 155 market yards and 58 PACS in all to handle the entire procurement. Since, harvesting is just in the initial stage, only three major market yards at Kalapani, Godbhaga and Attabira are functioning,” informed CSO of Bargarh BN Karkara.
But just after a week, rest other market yards will function in the district and farmers can sell their paddy without any problem, the CSO added. He further said that online payment will be made to the farmers to evade fraudulent activities and also prevent brokers.
However, on the first day only 96 bags of paddy (96x75 kg) were sold in the Kalapani market yard and due to late arrival of the farmers, no business could be done in two others places, the CSO informed.
But it is learnt that the farmers are demanding to sell 30 bags of paddy per acre in place of 24 bags as fixed by the Government for which they didn’t allow their paddy to be lifted. “Using latest technology we are producing more paddy per acre. But the Government is permitting for 24 bags which is not acceptable to us,” said Gaurahari Pradhan and many other farmers of the district.
CSO Karkara, however, said that since it is a State policy, they can’t do anything.
Meanwhile, aggrieved farmers didn’t allow millers to lift paddy on the first day, sources said.