The farmers in Sambalpur district who have harvested a bumper crop this year have demanded an immediate modification in procurement policy and a hike in paddy sale quantity per acre fixed by the Government.
If the Government doesn’t increase the paddy quantity to be sold in market yards by December 22, then farmers would be compelled to take to the streets, warned Paschima Odisha Krushak Samanwaya Samity president Murari Purohit.
“As per the decision of the Government regarding paddy procurement, farmers of irrigated area can sell 18 quintals of paddy in the market yards and those in non-irrigated area can sell 12 quintals. But the real production is more than the quantity fixed since farmers of the region are using all modern technologies in agriculture and there was suitable weather condition this year. Hence, the prescribed norms per acre will encourage distress sale and help the brokers and millers,” said Purohit.
“From the very beginning, we have been demanding to increase the quantity of paddy to be sold in market yards by the farmers. But the Government has remained silent over the matter so far. And, now the farmers are unable to sell the excess quantity and will be forced to sell it at throwaway prices,” Purohit added.
The farmers’ body further alleged that there have been rampant corruptions in the process of paddy procurement in the market yards, PACS, co-operative societies with names of fake farmers entered in the registers. “let there be a thorough inquiry in to the corruption and action taken against those involved in the unfair practice,” they demanded.