Farmers in crisis over low yields, distress sale

Bolangir/Puri: Farmers in the State are going through a tough time as some of them are grappling with dismal yields on account of substandard seeds while others are staring at the prospects of distress sale.

The farmers of Bolangir district which is famous for its onion cultivation are now facing the prospects of distress sale of their produce as they are not getting the desired price from the sourcing traders.

Farmers here have alleged that traders are offering meagre price for their produce which doesn’t even cover their capital investment in the crop.

However, the Horticulture officials have refuted the allegations saying necessary arrangements have been made for the purchase and procurement of their produce.

On the other hand, groundnut farmers of Krushnaprasad block in Puri district are in a state of shock amidst substantially low yields. The 12 gram panchayats of this block purchased groundnut seeds from various cooperative societies.

Though the plantations were lush, the produce was dismally low. Farmers are getting a yield of around 20-30 quintal from the same field which used to yield 100 quintal earlier.

Distressed by such dismal produce, the farmers have demanded compensation from the government. Meanwhile, the Agriculture officials have said required steps will be taken after investigating the matter.