Attabira: Farmers are facing losses on two fronts, created by pests in their fields and exploiters in the market. They are selling paddy that was harvested early fearing pest attack at much below the market price.
Traders and middlemen are taking advantage of the situation by offering between Rs 850 and Rs 900 per a standard bag of paddy. Since market yards have not yet opened and the crop has not fully matured, the farmers have no other go but to dispose of their stocks at prices dictated by the traders.
It is alleged that there is a nexus between yard in-charge, purchasing units, supply department and primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) staff to cash in on the present situation.
The harvested kharif yield has been stored at rice mills. And the same produce will be shown as purchased from market yards when they open.
The supply department and the administration remain indifferent to stop the illegal paddy transportation to mills before the opening of market yards. The traders are said to be active in villages to facilitate these operations.
When contacted, Pradeep Kumar Besan, secretary, RMC, said 19 market yards and 19 PACS paddy collection centres will open from November 7.
Srikanta Bhoi, a farmer of Sindurabahal, said paddy harvested from 10 acres is lying at his farmyard in sacks. As market yards have not opened yet, he is contemplating to sell off about 300 sacks of paddy to rice mills.
Paddy is being transported in broad day light to the mills located at Bargarh-Sambalpur State Highway 53, Gobhoga-Binika State Highway, Lorasora Road, Gauratikra Road, Patrapalli Road, Remunda Road, Rengalicamp-Papanga Road and Lahanda-Godabhoga Road. Locals demanded administration’s intervention. PNN
