Rayagada farmers face huge losses as pineapple supply disrupted by transport strike

The ongoing drivers’ union protest in Odisha has dealt a severe blow to pineapple farmers in Niyamgiri, with tonnes of ripe fruit rotting in the fields due to disrupted transportation. Farmers, who had harvested their labour-intensive crop in large quantities, are now forced to sell at throwaway prices in local markets or watch their produce perish.

Ripe Pineapples Rot as Supply Chains Collapse

The lush green slopes of Niyamgiri, spread across Kalyansinghpur, Bissamcuttack and Muniguda blocks in Rayagada district, are known for their sweet, juicy pineapples. The region’s unique soil and climate support cultivation across 112 villages. But with truck movements stalled, consignments to Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh have come to a standstill.

Chilling visuals from Kadarkabandeli village show women and men hauling freshly harvested pineapples only to stack them beside fields where many are already decaying. “We cannot send them outside. In local markets, prices are so low it doesn’t even cover labour costs,” said Rajesh Kadarka, a farmer.

Local Markets Flooded, Farmers Face Huge Losses

With no access to larger markets, prices have crashed in Rayagada’s local haats, forcing farmers to sell at minimal rates to avoid total loss. Many fear the financial strain could impact their ability to invest in the next season’s crops.

A Call for Intervention

As tonnes of pineapples waste away, farmers are urging the Odisha government to step in with relief measures or facilitate alternative transportation. Without timely intervention, the economic blow could have lasting consequences for Niyamgiri’s agrarian communities.