Andhra traders cashing in on 'distress sale' by Odisha tribals!

Tribal communities in Odisha's Rayagada district, who rely on gathering tamarind for their livelihood, are facing difficulties due to inadequate support from local government agencies. Consequently, they are forced to sell tamarind at prices below the market value.

This shaky situation has provided an opportunity for traders from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh to purchase tamarind at low prices and thereby increase their profits.

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According to sources, the Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation (TDCC) and Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) are responsible for purchasing tamarind. Reports indicate that while the government was supposed to purchase tamarind at rates of Rs 36 to Rs 40 per kilogram, traders from Andhra Pradesh are acquiring it for as little as Rs 15 to Rs 16 per kilogram.

Rayagada produces approximately 500 tonnes of tamarind in a year. However, in FY 2022-23, TDCC procured only 200 tonnes via ORMAS, with no procurement in 2023-24, leaving the tribal collectors in a precarious position, and triggering distress selling to Andhra Pradesh traders.

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The lack of procurement is partly due to vacant senior positions at TDCC. Despite attempts to resolve the issue, the situation persists.

When contacted, ORMAS deputy CEO Manoj Kumar Patra said, “We had procured only 10-12 tonnes of tamarind last year for our value-added products. Perhaps, TDCC is not able to decide on procurement due to the vacant position of their BM.”