Farmers in Nuapada district blocked National Highway 353 at Block Chhak today, demanding urgent lifting of paddy from local mandis.
The agitation disrupted traffic as vehicles remained stranded for hours.
At Khariar Bijepur mandi, 588 farmers have 65,002 bags of paddy lying unsold. Similarly, 286 farmers at Areda mandi await lifting of 29,146 bags, while 152 farmers at Duajhar mandi face delays with 17,206 bags. Bhojpur mandi holds 22,000 bags from 205 farmers, and Lanjhi mandi has 23,315 bags from 199 farmers. Sanmaheshwar mandi reported 30,050 bags belonging to 240 farmers. Farmers also raised concerns over pending procurement at Bargawn and Khudapej mandis.
Protesters blocked NH-353 at Block Chhak and NH-59 at Areda, halting vehicular movement. Farmers insisted that authorities take immediate steps to clear the backlog and ensure the procurement of rabi paddy.
Administrative officials, including Khariar BDO Milan Kumar Jhankar, Tehsildar Narasingha Gadaba, and SDPO, reached the protest site. They held discussions with farmers but failed to convince them to withdraw the blockade. Farmers accused the administration of negligence and warned of intensified protests if procurement does not begin soon.
