Suryap

Bargarh: Hundreds of farmers in Bargarh district are now a worried lot over non-completion of paddy procurement process for the rabi season. Besides, quintals of paddy stock at several market yards in Atabira, Bargarh, Padampur have been reportedly damaged in the monsoon rain in several parts of the State in the past couple of days.

It is pertinent to mention here that the district administration began rabi paddy procurement on May 30 and had set deadline of June 25 for completion of the entire process.

“We brought paddy to the mandi for procurement. But all the paddy stocks got wet in the rain. Besides, there is no guarantee that procurement will be completed soon,” said K. Laxman Rao, a farmer.

Expressing concerns, another farmer Harihar said, “My paddy stocks have been lying in the yard since 20 days. In every 3-4 days, I am visiting the yard with the hope that the stock will be lifted.”

As per reports, around 52.24 lakh quintals of paddy have been procured till date in the district whereas 3.5 lakh quintals of paddy are lying in the yards unattended. However, the administration has assured farmers that paddy stock which has already arrived in the yards including the wet ones will be procured without any issue.

“This year, we have procured around 52.24 lakh quintals till date, but 3.5 lakh quintals paddy is yet to be lifted from the mandis. The administration had procured around 48 lakh quintal paddy last year,” said Indramani Tripathy, Bargarh Collector.

The administration will complete the procurement process in the next three days. “We will ensure that farmers do not suffer and all the paddy stock will be procured,” the Collector added.

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