TV
While a total of 17, 72, 347 farmers in Odisha registered for paddy procurement at minimum support price in the year 2023-24, the number has gone down to 17,49, 987 in the current year.
In response to the development, BJD MLA Ganeswar Behera raised a question in the Odisha Assembly on Wednesday about the decline in the number of farmers.
Behera asked why the numbers dwindled despite the announcement by the Odisha government to disburse additional input assistance of Rs 800 over and above the minimum support price of Rs 2,300 per quintal of paddy.
“When the government announced to provide a bonus of Rs 800 per quintal of paddy why there was a decline in the number of farmers who have registered for paddy procurement? Has the government made any inquiry about it?” asked Behera.
In reply to the question, Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta said that the matter is being enquired.
Read Also: Odisha farmers resent delay in token issuance for paddy procurement
The Paddy procurement process for 2024-25 commenced in Odisha on November 20.
Though the paddy procurement began on November 20 in the Bargarh district, there was a delay for the farmers to get the tokens. As a result, several farmers in the district expressed discontentment over the tardy pace of kharif paddy procurement.
While adverse weather conditions affected the process, several farmers expressed their resentment over the delayed token distribution.
Moreover, the farmers also expressed dissatisfaction with the grain analyser machines used at the mandi, citing faults in determining the quality of the various types of paddy cultivated in the area.
