Farmer demand hike in paddy procurement target in Koraput

Farmers have refused to sell their produce after opening of mandis for kharif season in Koraput district, demanding increase in paddy procurement target for an acre of non-irrigated land.
Officials said the state government had fixed the procurement taret for an acre of non-irrigated area at 12 quintals against the farmers's demand for 18 quintals.
"Last year, we had sold 20 quintals of paddy from an acre of irrigated land and 18 quintals from an acre of non-irrigated land. This year, the government has fixed the limit at 18 and 12 quintal for irrigated and non-irrigated land respectively, which is not acceptable," said Secretary of Zilla Krushaka Kalyan Mancha Narendra Pradhan.

As the mandis opened yesterday, the farmers alleged that by lowering the limit of paddy to be procured from non-irrigated land, the government has created a situation where distress sale can occur as they would be left with huge quantity of produce.
"We are demanding a revision in the target. No farmers will sale their produce at the mandis if the demand is not fulfilled. We'll intensify the agitation, if the government ignores our demand," Pradhan said.
Official sources said the government has fixed the procurement target at 40,000 MT for the kharif season and opened 17 mandis across the district.

"The procurement target for irrigated and non-irrigated land has been fixed by the state government and it is beyond our jurisdiction to revise it. We have apprised the district administration of the demand," said Civil Supplies Officer (Koraput) Pitambar Acharya.