Khurda: Several farmers in the district have resorted to distress sale of paddy even though the state government is scheduled to procure paddy from framers from December 22.
Sources said many farmers of Balugaon, Tangi and Banpur area have started selling paddy to traders from Andhra Pradesh at a price of `1,200 per quintal. On the other hand, the state government has announced minimum support price (MSP) of `1,550 per quintal for paddy.
According to sources, drought-like situation during the initial days of paddy cultivation, pest attacks and unseasonal rains during the harvesting days have affected the crop’s quality. This has made many farmers believe that they might face problems in selling their rop at the government procurement centres.
“The state government is yet to declare a relaxation of the fair average quality (FAQ) for paddy in areas affected by the drought and unseasonal rains. Apprehending difficulties in selling their paddy at the government procurement centres, farmers are selling their produce at compromised prices to private traders,” said a source.
It is learnt that the strict guidelines for registering names at the procurement centres of primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS) have forced many farmers to sell their crops to private traders.
As per the guidelines, farmers have to submit copies of their land records, Aadhaar cards, account numbers and other details to PACS prior to selling their paddy at procurement centres. “Some farmers in the district are yet to get Aadhaar cards. Similarly, a few do not have genuine land records. As per the existing norms, sharecroppers are ineligible to sell their paddy at PACS procurement centres,” said a farmer.
District civil supplies officer Ramakanta Ranasingh said they have launched an awareness drive to discourage farmers from selling their paddy to private traders at low prices. “Till date, 32,000 farmers have registered themselves with the PACS. We will commence procuring paddy at 136 centres (mandis) and 13 additional centres from December 22. Steps are being taken to check the activities of traders from Andra in the district,” Ranasingh added.
PNN