Jeypore, Dec, 24: The Koraput District Krushak Kalyan Manch submitted a memorandum demanding immediate resolution of problems related to paddy and maize mandis. The memorandum, addressed to the District Collector of Koraput, was submitted at the office of the Jeypore Civil Supplies Officer to the District Chief Civil Supplies Officer, Manas Ranjan Mohapatra. Copies of the memorandum were also submitted to the Jeypore Sub-Collector and the DRCS, according to the Krushak Kalyan Manch.
The organization stated that distress sale of paddy and maize is continuing in the district. Therefore, paddy and maize mandis should be started immediately. Although the administration had announced that mandis would begin from 11.12.2025, in reality not even 1 kg of paddy has been procured so far.
While the administration remains busy with meetings, farmers are unable to sell their paddy and are facing various hardships. The memorandum demanded that tokens be issued to all farmers, procurement of all paddy be completed by January, and the token validity period be extended. It was also demanded that on the same day paddy is procured, it should be lifted immediately, and farmers should be provided vendor receipts.
Further demands included proper weighing of paddy at mandis, provision of empty gunny bags at mandis by procurement agencies, millers, or the supply department, and proper arrangements for handling operations. The Manch also demanded payment to farmers for pending gunny bag and handling charges from last year’s Kharif and Rabi seasons, which is estimated to exceed Rs12 crore.
The government was urged to provide farmers the announced price of ₹3,169 per quintal, grant full authority for paddy procurement to the District Collector, and ensure that once farmers sell their produce at the mandi, the government purchases it directly. Additional demands included installation of VTS systems in transport vehicles, strict control over middlemen, stopping excess deductions in the name of FAQ quality, and ensuring farmers are free from exploitation.
At present, paddy and maize are being purchased in the district at Rs 1,600 to Rs 1,700 per quintal, far below the announced price. Hence, the Krushak Kalyan Manch demanded that paddy and maize mandis be started immediately before the festival season.
During submission of the memorandum, Narendra Pradhan, Bipad Injan Das, Radhabinod Samantaray, and several farmers were present.