Khaprakhol (Bolangir): Farmers of Khaprakhol block in Bolangir district have refused to sell their produce in mandis, demanding an increase in the paddy procurement target, a report said.
Thousands of paddy sacks were found dumped in the mandis after the farmers refused to sell their produce.
According to reports, the cooperative society has opened seven mandis in the block out of which Juria procurement centre under Loisingha Agricultural Cooperative Society bought the highest quantity of paddy.
Farmers of 29 villages under Changaria, Baghamunda, Dameipali, Loisingha and Matiabhata panchayats sold their produce in Juria mandi.
While 453 farmers have registered this year, only 319 farmers have sold their paddy till now. The remaining 134 are yet to get tokens to sell their produce. With no option left, farmers who had already brought their grains to the mandis are spending sleepless nights, guarding their paddy in the chilly weather.
The farmers alleged that the cooperative staff did not cooperate and refused to give tokens, claiming they were over. As a result the farmers were forced to return without selling their paddy. This has spread resentment among the farmers who demanded an increase in the paddy procurement target.
The farmers alleged that their paddy was not procured from January. Some said they have been waiting for the tokens for the last one month.
As per reports, a total of 58,000 quintals of paddy was sold last year while a target of 54,172 was set for this year. However, only 38,655 quintals (only 70%) has been sold till January last.
“This year, the administration lowered the target. Many farmers are yet to sell their produce and will fall prey to traders. So, we demand a hike in the procurement target,” farmers Sunil Guru, Narsingh Meher, Jibardhan Panda, Dolamani Meher, Sunaram Putel, Kalakanhu Behera, Bidyadhar Saha, Madan Shekhar and many others said.
By lowering the limit of paddy to be procured, the administration has created a situation where distress sale can occur as they would be left with huge quantity of produce, the farmers said.
“We are demanding a revision in the target. No farmers will sell their produce at the mandis if the demand is not fulfilled. We’ll intensify the agitation, if the administration ignores our demand,” Pradhan said.
Patnagarh Cooperative Society member Pramod Kumar Bariha said he was aware of the plight of farmers and had sought the intervention of the District Supply Officer for increasing the target.
“We have written a letter to the DSO. Necessary steps will be taken after his orders come,” Bariha said.
Similarly, Patnagarh sub-division supply officer Bijay Kumar Kulu said a video conference would be held Friday where the paddy procurement target would be discussed.
Meanwhile, the low procurement target fixed by the administration has added to the woes of the farmers, many of whom are under loan burden and being pestered by moneylenders.
PNN
