Faulty crop procurement policy worries Orissa farmers

Bhubaneshwar, Dec. 11 (ANI): Farmers in Orissa are suffering due to the faulty crop procurement policy of the state government.

The farmers in the Baragarh district say that state government bodies have failed to safeguard their interests, and that has resulted in discontent among the cultivators.

They say that the government authorities do not procure their yields in time. They also claim that during the transportation process, the local collectors and sub-collectors exploit farmers.

"We farmers have to bear the loss of nearly 55 kilograms to 110 kilograms (of produce) while loading, and 55 kilograms while unloading. The agents do measure (them) but they cheat us," said Krupasindhu Sahu, a farmer.

The Government has set a price tag of 1000 rupees per quintal of paddy, but the farmers are forced to sell their produce for a mere 600-700 rupees. In addition, they are also cheated of their nighttime or over-time payments.

"In nearly every district in Orissa, farmers are in a bad state. They are forced to sell their produce for a comparatively low price of 600-700 rupees per quintal. This year, Orissa's government has set the procurement policy, and at some places it is applied, but it can be seen clearly that in those policies there is lack of vision, political stand, and there aren't even any further plans," said Bishnu Prasad Mishra, sub-collector, Bargarh.

A large number of farmers have also failed to even get their identity cards made. Some agents and distributors are taking advantage of this lapse and are engaged in making fake identity cards, which they sell to these farmers at high rates.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has a limited capacity for food procurement; whereas the Food and Civil Supplies Department is not equipped with the infrastructure to procure such huge amounts of paddy as it lacks storage space, manpower and funds to carry out procurement work. (ANI)