Daringbadi: The cashew farmers of Daringbadi in Kandhamal district and the border villages of Paniganda and Katamaha in Gajapati district are facing the possibility of distress sale, thanks to the severe cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ and the unseasonal rains a few days back.
While farmers who mainly cultivated paddy are slowly changing over to cashew, the unexpected loss due to natural calamities and other reasons are breaking their morale.
As per reports, this year production has decreased by 30 to 40 per cent compared to the past.
Moreover, while the market price is Rs 125 a kilo, farmers are now forced to sell cashew for just Rs 100 a kilo. The farmers who suffered severe loss due to the weather have to bear further losses due to lack of government enthusiasm to open markets for selling cashew nuts.
The farmers are forced to sell to middlemen from Andhra Pradesh and other neighbouring states at low prices.
“Fani and the unseasonal rain have already inflicted losses. Now, the lack of marketing facilities is worsening our plight,” cashew farmer Rama Prusty said.
“This year, even the quality of cashew was hit by natural calamities. So demand has decreased. If the produce is not sold immediately, it will perish. So we are selling it at cheaper rates to middlemen,” he added.
This year cashew was cultivated in around 300 hectares in the nine blocks of Kotagarh, Baliguda, K. Nuagaon, Daringbadi, Raikia, G. Udayagiri, Tikabali and Chakapad.
Around 40 hectares in Daringbadi was also used for cashew cultivation. However, the farmers have not got their dues. As per government norms, farmers are supposed to get Rs 20,000 each for cultivating a hectare.
The farmers would get Rs 12,000 in the first phase, Rs 4,000 in the second and Rs 4,000 in the final phase. They are supposed to get all the dues in three years directly in their bank accounts. But many farmers said they have not got them.
Daringbadi is well known for turmeric, ginger, pulses, mustard and sesame cultivation. The administration is also asking farmers to cultivate mango, banana and vegetables.
As per the request of the administration, many farmers have also taken to cashew. However, the indifference of the administration is affecting their morale and forcing them to give up farming.
The people have urged the administration to help cashew farmers to encourage farming in the district.
PNN
