Ghasipura: Jute farmers at Balabahali village under Anandapur block in Keonjhar district are a worried lot after jute rates drastically fell in the market. In the absence of remunerative prices and right markets, farmers are forced to sell their produce to middlemen at throwaway prices.
As there is no provision for government procurement, farmers face exploitations in the hands of middlemen. They have expressed resentment over the government failing to do basic things to protect their interests.
Last year, they had sold jute for Rs 3,400 per quintal, but its price has dropped to Rs 2,000 or Rs 2100 this year—a drop of nearly 40 per cent. “In such circumstances, we have to incur loss and even we fail to recoup the inputs cost,” some farmers lamented.
The downturn in the jute market has been a cause of concern for farmers in Belabahali, it was learnt.
Gopinath Biswal, a farmers, said, “I had cultivated jute over an acre spending Rs 19,000 excluding the expenses towards manure and cow dung. It is sad that we sell the produce for only Rs 2000. The last year’s rate was manageable. This year we are worried over the fall in price.”
He said if the government does nothing, the famers will suffer heavy loss.
Jagabandhu Biswal, another farmer, narrated his plight. He said he has produced 10 quintals of jute from two acres. “If we sell it at this price, we can’t even recover the amount we spent on the cultivation. We will suffer a loss of Rs 5,000 per acre. He we will pay off our debts,” he rued.
He noted that as the government does not procure jute like paddy, farmers have no way but to sell the produce to middlemen for as low as Rs 2200 per quintal.
Rathia Biswal observed that farmers can gain something if the jute can fetch minimum Rs 3500 per quintal. At this time of spiraling price, the government should come to the rescue of jute farmers to ensure the right market price, he observed.
However, Debapriya Patra, director of the State Cooperative Societies, said, “There is no need for farmers to worry. They should wait for some more time. They should not sell jute to middlemen. They will get the right price of jute after the government opens the depots. The government is always careful about protecting the interests of farmers. Everything will be right if they keep patience.” PNN
