Pottangi: Scores of farmers in Pottangi block under Koraput district have taken up maize cultivation to earn a livelihood. However, they are not benefitting much from the crop. Due to a lack of marketing facilities, the farmers are having a harrowing time selling their produce. The farmers’ loss has proved to be a boon for the traders in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh as they cash in on their helplessness. In a hurry to dispose of their harvest, farmers are forced to sell off their produce at throwaway prices to the Andhra traders. Sources said that farmers in Ralegada, Sunki, Peturu, Ampabali, Sambai, and Talagolur panchayats under Pottangi block are into maize cultivation.
Like previous years, they have again cultivated maize this year. However, in the absence of marketing facilities in the area, the farmers are forced to resort to distress sales. Taking advantage of the situation, Andhra traders are visiting the villages and buying the harvested maize from them at Rs 10 to Rs 15 per kg which is significantly lower than the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 1,850 per quintal. Resultant losses have left the farmers unable to meet even their daily household expenses, let alone any plan for the future. After buying maize from the farmers, the traders either sell it in their local market or transport it to other states at a premium.
As the farmers continue to suffer losses, the traders from Andhra rake in the moolah. No one has shown any concern towards the farmers’ woes as neither the district administration nor the state government is taking any step to alleviate their sufferings. Attaching much importance to the cultivation of millets, the nutrient-rich foodgrains grown in tribal-dominated areas, the state government has taken several steps for the benefit of millet growers. Similarly, maize is also popular and rich in nutrients like millet.
However, the state government is not doing enough to provide marketing facilities to the maize farmers, farmers alleged. Farmer and Zilla Parishad member Tikai Gemel has alleged that the district administration should display some concern for maize farmers and inform the state government about their plight.
Notably, farmers in Umerkote and Raighar blocks in neighbouring Nabarangpur district also carry out maize cultivation. Tonnes of maize are harvested from these two blocks but lack of marketing facility has disappointed the farmers in these areas. They claimed that the decline in the prices of maize has not only aggravated the farmers’ distress but also could discourage maize cultivation altogether if not quickly addressed. When contacted, Pottangi block agriculture officer Dushmant Swain said an increase in maize production in various panchayats under the block is inspiring. He said that farmers should get the right prices from sale of their harvest. He will apprise the state government and take steps for the establishment of mandis if the farmers make a formal demand for marketing facilities, he added.
