Berhampur: The paddy procurement scene in Ganjam district gives a gloomy picture, as farmers are being forced to sell their produce in markets of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
The carelessness of the district administration has resulted in distress sales of paddy. As mandis are closing within a few days, procurement has slowed down, indicating that the procurement target may not be achieved.
Paddy procurement in the district started in December. The administration had set a target to procure 32 lakh quintals through 391 cooperative societies.
Of the 381 millers registered in the district, only 272 had applied to purchase paddy. The administration had targeted to register at least two lakh farmers in its mandis.
District supply office sources said 25,65,257 quintals of paddy have been procured till date, which is six lakh quintals less than the target. Only 55,155 farmers have sold their produce so far.
Block-wise figures of paddy procurement indicates that in the Aska block 2,965 farmers sold 1,62,247 quintals of paddy through 19 cooperative societies; in Bhanjanagar block 1,674 farmers sold 1,01,508 quintals of paddy through 13 cooperative societies; in Belaguntha 1,787 farmers sold 94,097 quintals of paddy through 14 cooperative societies; in Buguda 2,127 farmers sold 84,942 quintals of paddy through 14 cooperative societies; in Dharakote 2,326 farmers sold 1,01,522 quintals of paddy through 15 cooperative societies; in Jagannathprasad 1,424 farmers sold 63,958 quintals of paddy through 18 cooperative societies; in Sheragad 2,259 farmers sold 96,616 quintals of paddy through 15 cooperative societies; in Sorada 2,281 farmers sold 1,34,959 quintals of paddy through 17 cooperative societies; in Sanakhemundi 3,140 farmers sold 2,61,980 quintals of paddy through 18 cooperative societies; in Kukudakhandi 3,572 farmers sold 1,61,475 quintals of paddy through 19 cooperative societies; in Digapahandi 3,746 farmers sold 1,64,357 quintals of paddy through 23 cooperative societies; in Rangeilunda 2,186 farmers sold 81,498 quintals of paddy through 22 cooperative societies; in Chikiti 1,545 farmers sold 67,591 quintals of paddy through 18 cooperative societies; in Patrapur 2,112 farmers sold 95,164 quintals of paddy through 17 cooperative societies; in Ganjam 2,332 farmers sold 70,968 quintals of paddy through 17 cooperative societies; in Khallikote 2,669 farmers sold 1,12,397 quintals of paddy through 18 cooperative societies; in Beguniapada 3,774 farmers sold 1,27,745 quintals of paddy through 20 cooperative societies; in Chhatrapur 2,504 farmers sold 88,790 quintals of paddy through 17 cooperative societies; in Purushottampur 2,973 farmers sold 1,48,984 quintals of paddy through 20 cooperative societies; in Hinjilikatu 3,967 farmers sold 2,02,566 quintals of paddy through 20 cooperative societies; in Polsara block 1,540 farmers sold 58,792 quintals of paddy through 16 cooperative societies; and in Kabisuryanagar block 2,252 farmers sold 83,091 quintals of paddy through 15 cooperative societies.
The mandis in the district opened late. Some farmers complained that as elections are approaching the administration is focusing on ‘Peetha’ and ‘Kalia’ schemes instead of helping farmers.
PNN
