Bhadrak: Though paddy procurement at mandis has started in Bhadrak district, farmers in some parts of the district are suffering due to weight reduction during procurement. On the other hand, some farmers are unable to sell their paddy as mandis have not opened in some areas. They are selling paddy to Andhra traders, who have been camping in different areas.
Farmers alleged that delay in paddy procurement has forced them to sell paddy at throwaway prices as administrative officials and rice millers don’t work in coordination.
97 primary agriculture cooperative societies (PACs) have been assigned to procure paddy since December 20.
It was learnt that 69, 652 farmers have registered their names online for procurement. But scores of farmers have been unable to make registration while more than half of these mandis have not opened as yet.
It was alleged that cooperative societies identified by the RMC have not started procurement. The farmers in these areas sell paddy to Andhra traders
At many places, farmers alleged that weightage of paddy is being reduced as officials cite that the paddy in most cases fails to meet the FAQ standard.
Middlemen and traders from Andhra Pradesh have cashed in on this situation. To meet immediate exigencies, farmers are desperate to dispose of paddy to traders for Rs 12,00 to 15,00 per quintal, incurring a loss of Rs 500 to 300 per quintal.
Such scenario is routinely found in Agarpada, Bant, Aradi and Barpada panchayats. On main roads, truckloads of paddy are seen playing
The government has fixed Rs 1868 as MSP for Grade A paddy while FAQ paddy has been fixed at Rs 1888.
Traders are buying paddy for Rs 1200 to Rs 1250 per quintal.
On the other hand, the administration has imposed no restrictions over middlemen, engaged by outside traders.
Farmer leader Satya Nayak said that farmers are deprived of getting right price of their paddy while the government should pay attention to this problem.
When asked about distress sale of paddy, RMC secretary Bikash Das said that all necessary machines have been provided to all mandis to check FAQ of the paddy Farmers will be paid their MSP as per quality of their paddy.
PNN
