Rayagada: In the absence of adequate marketing facilities and cold storages, jackfruit farmers of Rayagada district have been forced to resort to distress sale, sources said Monday. After pineapple and custard apple, jackfruit in Rayagada district is in high demand in across India. According to an estimate, over 20,000 quintals of raw jackfruit are transported to the western part of the country every year.
The Niyamgiri hills which are home to the Dongria tribals, alone produce 9,000 to 10,000 quintals of jackfruit. Raw jackfruit is available from January to March while the ripe variety is available from March.
Traders from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh flock to the district to buy jackfruits during the spring season between February and March. However, as the district lacks storage facilities, the farmers have to sell their produce at throwaway prices with very little profit to show for their efforts.
On the other hand, traders who arrive here from various parts of India buy jackfruit and store it because they have the facilities in their respective states. They make huge profits from the product. Hundreds of trucks transport jackfruit to the four states mentioned above virtually on a daily basis.
Local farmers here, however, suffer because of the lack of storage facilities and a proper supply chain. So they have to sell a piece of jackfruit weighing 2kg-3kg for a meager Rs 5 to Rs 7. The same material is sold at more than Rs 15 to Rs 20 per kilogram in other states.
Sources said that the fruit is grown mostly in the hilly and forested regions of Ramnaguda, Kalyansinghpur, Bissam Cuttack, Kolnara and Rayagada blocks that have an abundance of jackfruit trees. However, the locals cannot eke out a proper living out of the produce as they are fleeced by traders from other parts of Odisha and even from those outside the state. As a result, the local farmers suffer a lot due to poverty.
Sources alleged that tribals and other local jackfruit farmers get a raw deal despite the presence of the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS). Farmers alleged that ORMAS officials have never taken a positive state to ensure a proper price of the produce for them. They demanded that ORMAS and district administration officials should set up a meeting where problems can be resolved and proper prices fixed for jackfruit. The farmers said that the state government should intervene and ensure proper marketing facilities and cold storages for jackfruit.
ORMAS official Manoj Patra pointed out that whole sellers from outside the district pay approximately Rs 20 per kilogram of jackfruit. In the local market here the price varies between Rs 25 to Rs 30 per kilogram. Patra added that if the locals have any grievance regarding the price, the matter will certainly be looked into.
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