Farmers of Kalahandi are worried over a delay in paddy procurement. The district administration has fixed a target to procure 26 lakh quintals of paddy during the kharif marketing season (KMS), 2019-20.
Paddy was to be procured from November 1. But no PACS were opened till Sunday which put the farmers in a dilemma.
The farmers will sell the produce at 74 PACs, 17 SHGs where 71 millers have been entrusted to tag the procurement.
The Chhattisgarh Government on Sunday seized 1, 795 quintals paddy at the check point of Debbhog which was being transported to sell the farmers’ produce.
Feeling the overburden in its own State, the CG Government has now decided to seal 11 check points through which paddy is transported. The CG is procuring paddy at Rs 2, 500 a quintal in its own State.
Collector (Kalahandi), Gavali Parag Harshad said that farmers can sell paddy at any point but middlemen should not be allowed while trading. “We have multiple reasons for delay in procurement. Millers had not deposited the security money with us. Soon all the mandis will be opened,” the Collector said.
A farmer of Jaipatna, Prabeen Behera alleged that the delay in procurement is the regular process in Odisha for which middlemen have been active in every district.
“Some farmers sold their produce at Rs 1, 100 to Rs 1,300 fearing loss in the Bulbul effect. They did not have any storage facility which forced them to sell in lower prices,” Behera said.
While the MSP for common variety in Odisha is set at Rs 1,815 per quintal, it is Rs 1,835 per quintal for Grade A variety.
Another farmer Shankarshan Behera of Kalampur allegedly said the district administration is aware of all the troubles being faced by the farmers but they remain silent and knowingly delay the procurement.
Sheshadev Behera, a farmer of Dharmagarh, said the administration never tried to understand the farmers’ woes. The Government policy always harassed the farmers, he added.
Civil Supplies Officer of Kalahandi, Siba Prasad Dora said the online system in registration by the farmers has delayed the procurement.
“Token is provided to farmers online which is passed from Bhubanewar based office after registering in Kalahandi. At present, we have opened 10 mandis and soon all the PACs will be opened,” the CSO said.