Koraput: Paddy farmers in Malkangiri district are facing problems as procurement at mandis has been stalled for the past 15 days, leaving their produce unattended despite receiving tokens and following due procedures.
While some farmers have managed to sell their produce in two instalments, others are still waiting for their first instalment to be lifted, leading to growing dissatisfaction.
“I had brought 40 quintals of paddy to the Sikhpali mandi on Jan 27 after receiving a token for Jan 28. However, officials are yet to lift my produce, and I have not been given any clarity on when my paddy will be procured,” said Bandi Madakami, a farmer
Similarly, Nanda Padiami received a token to sell his paddy at the same mandi on Jan 25, but his produce is yet to be procured. Hundreds of farmers are facing similar challenges, with many expressing their frustration over the delay.
At Sikhpali mandi in Malkangiri block, paddy sacks have piled up, with some stored in tin-roofed sheds while others remain in the open. The issue is prevalent across all 69 mandis in the district.
Officials have attributed the delay to the completion of the initial procurement target. However, they assured that a new target has been assigned, and the revenue department is conducting a survey to assess pending procurement. They assured that the paddy stocked in the mandis will be cleared soon.
Reports indicate that middlemen have become active in the mandi operations, allegedly exploiting the situation to push their own stock.
This year, the civil supplies department in Malkangiri initially set a procurement target of 9 lakh quintals of paddy, followed by a second-phase target of 3 lakh quintals, which was completed on Jan 28. Due to this, a large amount of paddy has not been collected in the mandis.
“In the third phase, an additional 2.5 lakh quintals will be procured, and the revenue department will identify the farmers who are yet to sell their paddy so that their produce can be procured,” said Manmohan Pattnaik, civil supplies officer, Malkangiri.