Strong resentment is brewing among the farmers of north Baleswaras paddy procurement for the Rabi harvest couldn’t begin till date. Although the farmers were assured of procurement from May 29, yet no mandis could open.
The main reason is the reduction of handling charges for the mandi to be paid to the societies. The handling charge in the last season while was Rs 11.29 per quintal, this season the same has been reduced to Rs 8.47 per quintal. In the want of procurement, the paddy growers are resorting to distress sale, it is alleged.
The farmers while blamed the district administration as well as the societies for delay in paddyprocurement, the societies maintained that they would seek the intervention of district Collector.
Since Bhograi area is close to West Bengal, the middlemen from the neighbouring State are active and procuring paddy in a much less price than the MSP. It is alleged the desperate peasants are resorting to distress sale as they have to pay off the loans and meet other expenses incurred during cultivation. Bhograi is known as rice bowel of north Odisha. While farmers are resenting for delay in procurement of paddy, the presidents and secretaries of 19 cooperative societies have recently had a meeting.