Malkangiri farmers allege middlemen interference in procurement of paddy in Odisha
By Deba Prasad Dash
Allegations of middlemen interference have emerged from several mandis across the district with farmers claiming that a nexus between LAMPS authorities and the brokers is undermining the paddy procurement process, causing distress to genuine cultivators.
Farmers alleged that middlemen are openly operating at mandis and their collusion with LAMPS officials has resulted in eligible cultivators being denied timely opportunity to sell their produce. The dominance of middlemen has been found at the mandi in MV-11 under Malkangiri Sadar block along with a few other procurement centres in the district, they claimed.
On Wednesday, farmers circulated videos on social media purportedly showing middlemen transacting freely within mandi premises. They claimed several farmers who possessed valid tokens were not allowed to sell paddy. Only after heated exchanges with LAMPS officials, some of them were permitted to complete the sale.
The farmers further alleged that middlemen are routinely using multiple tokens in the names of registered cultivators to sell paddy. Sindhrimal sarpanch Ghasi Nayak said unchecked presence of middlemen at mandis has severely impacted farmers. “A large number of brokers are entering mandis daily, leaving farmers to face repeated hurdles in selling their paddy. Mandis must be made completely broker-free,” he said.
Contacted, district civil supplies officer Lingaraj Behera said no formal complaint regarding broker involvement has been received so far. “If a specific complaint is lodged, it will be examined and necessary action will be taken,” he said and added that about 50 per cent of the procurement target has been achieved in the district so far.
According to official data, 46,326 farmers have registered for paddy procurement in the district this season. So far, paddy has been procured from 22,357 farmers. Against a total target of 14.66 lakh quintal in two phases, 7,48,642.55 quintal have been procured till date. An amount of `1,480.28 crore has been credited to farmers’ bank accounts.
Behera said millers across the district, particularly in Kalimela and Korukonda, are not depositing fresh securities and are reluctant to purchase paddy citing quality.
This article has been republished from The New Indian Express.