Khaprakhol: Farmers are facing problems in selling paddy as the government has stopped procurement ahead of time.
Thousands of bags of paddy are still lying unsold at mandis, and farmers are being compelled to sell their produce at price below the government-fixed MSP.
After farmers complained to the local administration, the civil supply department has been taking stock of the situation at the mandis.
District supply officer of Bolangir, Abhiram Pradhan, supply officer of Patnagarh division, Bijay Kumar Kulu, supply inspector of Khaprakhol, Rajaram Hota, visited the Uria mandi of Luisingha Agricultural Cooperative Society in Khaprakhol block.
They held talks with the mandi committee and farmers on various issues, and also gave an assurance on fixing a new target for paddy procurement.
Every year, the maximum quantity of paddy is procured from the mandi here. The farmers of around 29 villages in four panchayats depend on this mandi.
This year, 453 farmers registered themselves at this mandi, but only 319 could sell their paddy. Although the target for procurement was fixed at 54,000 quintals, only 38,600 quintals of paddy have been procured so far.
Thousands of bags of paddy are lying unsold at the mandi. During the officers’ visit, the cooperative society’s committee members Jayantpal Meher, Kandarpa Suar, Raju Meher, Pradip Singhdeo, Secretary Ramakrishna Sahu and many others were present.
Hota said, “We discussed with the farmers the issues pertaining to procurement. Paddy will be procured immediately on the basis of the new target. Farmers have demanded procurement of paddy not only from Uria mandi, but also from Dhandamunda and Khaprakhol mandis as well.”
PNN