Odisha Farmers Hit Hard by Delays in Paddy Procurement
Farmers across Odisha are grappling with mounting frustration as delays in paddy procurement disrupt livelihoods and fuel allegations of government inefficiency.
Raising the issue during zero hour in the Assembly, BJD MLA Prasanna Acharya accused the administration of “playing with the fate and future of farmers” by failing to open mandis on time and withholding tokens for sale.
In districts like Bargarh, more than 5,000 farmers remain unregistered, forcing many into distress sales at prices far below the mandated minimum support price.
Middlemen are exploiting the situation, while millers hesitate to procure due to storage constraints and the Food Corporation of India’s reluctance to lift last year’s stock. Acharya warned that such delays could spark unrest across the state.
Responding to the criticism, Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samant announced that procurement had begun in Bargarh and would extend to coastal districts by January.
He assured that adequate storage facilities are available and highlighted increased farmer registrations compared to previous years.
Dismissing opposition claims as political posturing, the minister emphasised the government’s commitment to subsidies and farmer welfare.
The ongoing crisis underscores systemic challenges in Odisha’s procurement system, with opposition leaders demanding immediate corrective measures to prevent further hardship for the farming community.
