Token delay trouble in Odisha mandis: Sonepur farmers sell paddy at Rs 10 per kg as mark of protest

Farmers in Sonepur district staged a unique protest on Saturday over delays and uncertainty in paddy procurement, triggering disruption on a key roadway. Expressing frustration over the non-issuance of tokens and the slow lifting of paddy at mandis, agitating farmers sold rice at a symbolic price of Rs 10 per kg and blocked the road by burning tyres.

The protest took place at Koudiamunda Chhak on the Sinsamura–Pandkital main road, bringing vehicular movement to a halt for several hours. The agitators alleged that although mandis in the district were officially opened on the 9th of the month, farmers were yet to receive procurement tokens, and paddy stocks lying at the mandis were not being lifted.

According to the protesting farmers, repeated appeals to the local administration have yielded no results, forcing them to resort to demonstrations to draw attention to their plight. They said many cultivators are under financial stress and urgently need payment for their produce, especially ahead of the next agricultural season.

As part of the protest, farmers sold paddy at Rs 10 per kg to highlight what they described as the ‘distress value’ of their crop due to procurement delays. Burning tyres on the road, they demanded immediate issuance of tokens, prompt lifting of paddy from mandis, and timely payment at the minimum support price.

“The Mandis opened on December 9, but no procurement has been made so far. We farmers, are suffering without money. If our paddy is not procured on time, then how will we be able to do farming in the next season? We request the government for a speedy procurement,” said a farmer, threatening to intensify their protest.

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Echoing the same, another farmer said, “I don’t have money to make ends meet. I have yet to get the token. What should I do?

No comments could be obtained from concerned administrative officials over such allegations.