Odisha farmers stack paddy on roads

Hundreds of farmers on Saturday stacked their paddy produce on main roads in numerous western Odisha districts, protesting in opposition to “faulty procurement procedures.”

Farmers alleged that they have been dealing with the potential of promoting paddy at a lot decrease than market costs this harvest season as the federal government was not prepared to obtain a better quantity of paddy.

Under the banner of the Western Odisha Farmer Orgnisations Coordination Committee (WOFOCC), farmers blocked the highway at Sindurpank in Sambalpur district with vans and tractor-loads of paddy.

Protesting farmers in western Odisha districts reminiscent of Sambalpur, Deogarh, Balangir, Bargarh and Subarnapur stated they have been ready for lengthy haul. Hundreds of automobiles have been discovered stranded on either side of protest websites. The WOFOCC leaders introduced that farmers wouldn’t budge from roads till the State authorities facilitated clean procurement for them.

“The State government announced it would procure only 19 quintals of paddy per acre of irrigated land and 13 quintals from one acre of non-irrigated land in the current procurement season. But farmers have produced around 27-28 quintals of paddy per acre this year,” stated Ashok Pradhan, the convener of WOFOCC.

“Taking huge risks during the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers have come up with bumper paddy production. The government should have made prior assessment of the scenario. The government determined the volume of paddy procurement by sitting at the capital city of Bhubaneswar. Now farmers don’t know how to dispose the excess produce,” Mr. Pradhan identified.

Farmer chief Lingaraj stated, “It is a dangerous trend of centralising the paddy procurement system, which has led to a grave situation. If the State government does not address farmers’ grievances, the protests will only be intensified.”

Meanwhile, Randendra Pratap Swain, Minister, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare and Cooperation, stated some vested pursuits have been instigating farmers.

“Paddy procurement is going on smoothly. As of today, 4,68,110 metric tonnes of paddy have been procured in the current kharif procurement season. The total volume of paddy procured is 56% higher than the corresponding period last year,” stated Mr. Swain.

Simultaneous verification of farmers’ identification was additionally being undertaken and tokens have been additionally being issued, stated the Minister.