Paralakhemundi: Paddy farmers in Paralakhemundi have been forced to resort to distress sale of their harvest to Andhra traders due to the lack of a clear and precise policy on paddy procurement by Gajapati district administration.
Moreover, lack of strict surveillance at border checkpoints has intensified the illegal sale and transportation of paddy to neighbouring states.
The state government has directed strict surveillance at border checkpoints, including the installation of CCTV cameras, to curb the illegal transportation of paddy to neighbouring states and prevent unscrupulous business practices. However, these measures appear ineffective in Gajapati district, where traders from Andhra Pradesh are purchasing paddy freely.
Reports indicate that tokens bearing the names of Odisha farmers are being issued in Andhra Pradesh, enabling traders to buy paddy from Odisha. These tokens, along with receipts for weighing the paddy, serve as evidence of the transactions.
Andhra traders are allegedly transporting paddy from Gosani and Kashinagar blocks in Gajapati district. Each day, 30 to 40 tractors loaded with paddy are being sold at prices ranging from Rs1,500 to Rs1,700 per quintal without restrictions. According to some sharecroppers, traders do not consider the quality of the paddy, focusing only on bulk purchases.
On the other hand, some farmers say they have lost trust in the state government and district administration. Initially, the district administration announced that paddy procurement would begin December 30, but this was postponed to January 7. Farmers are unsure if procurement will take place even on the revised date.
Meanwhile, unseasonal rains have damaged standing crops, and delay in opening of mandis has added to farmers’ woes. Many Telugu-speaking farmers in Gajapati district face additional financial pressure as they prepare for the Pongal festival, which necessitates urgent cash.
“Left with no choice, farmers are selling their paddy to Andhra traders at throwaway prices,” said farmer leaders Surya Narayan Pattnayak, Babula Patra, and Lakshmi Narayan.
Also Read: Odisha starts distribution of Rs 800 input assistance to paddy farmers
When contacted, Supply Officer Prafulla Kumar Behera said 45 mandis will be opened at Gumma, Gosani, Kashinagar, and Rayagada blocks. A target has been set to collect 5,85,000 quintals of paddy from these mandis.
This year, despite the price of paddy per quintal being higher in Odisha compared to Andhra Pradesh, it is unfortunate that farmers have been forced to sell their produce at lower prices. Farmers can sell their produce at their discretion, and the district administration cannot intervene to prevent this.
He further stated that farmers with surplus paddy beyond the target are selling it to Andhra Pradesh at lower rates. The supply officer’s remarks seem to suggest that instead of curbing illegal traders in the district, the administration may be indirectly encouraging them.
PNN
