Daringbadi: Beans cultivated in Raikia block of Kandhamal district are one of the most sought-after vegetables in Bhubaneswar and other major towns across Odisha. They are now being cultivated on a large scale in Daringbadi block of Kandhamal district, generating steady income for farmers, especially women.
While the demand for beans remains high, the lack of organised marketing network and the absence of a minimum support price (MSP) have prevented farmers from receiving fair returns for their hard work. Middlemen and traders are reportedly profiting the most from these lapses, resulting in suffering for the farmers.
To support farmers, some voluntary organisations have stepped in to ensure proper marketing facilities for the vegetables cultivated by the farmers. Under the guidance of Kailash Chandra Dandapat, secretary of Jagruti, a voluntary outfit, field coordinator Sarat Nayak has trained 210 bean farmers across five panchayats of the block.
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As a result, the farmers collectively sold 560 quintals of beans at Rs 90 per kg, earning Rs 5.4 lakh in total. However, with more harvests expected, many farmers are worried as traders continue to buy their produce at low prices. Farmers said the government should introduce regular marketing facilities and establish processing units to ensure beans are available in the market year-round. The absence of cold storage facilities in the block has also created difficulties for farmers.
Kalpana Pradhan and Arupa Pradhan from Samagata village under Badabanga panchayat successfully marketed their beans, while groups from Tagapanga in Greenbadi panchayat also participated in the initiative.
Among the 25 panchayats in the block, Badabanga, Greenbadi, and Pliheri are the major bean-producing areas. Still, farmers are concerned as some crops are showing signs of leaf disease, with plants turning yellow.
