Paddy procurement in Odisha’s Bargarh district resumed on Wednesday after several days of disruption. The breakthrough came following a series of discussions among government officials, rice millers, and farmer representatives.
Procurement through the P-PAS system restarted with the lifting of 724.79 quintals of paddy from the Tora, Kalapani, Godabhaga, Gudesira, and Atabira mandis. Of the total, 265 quintals were lifted from Kalapani mandi and 94 quintals from Godabhaga mandi. The Sub-Collector formally inaugurated the renewed process by performing the traditional coconut-breaking ceremony.
Although mandis across the district had opened on November 28, procurement activities were stalled, causing frustration among farmers. The delay stemmed from unresolved issues between millers and the government, along with concerns raised locally by farmers regarding procurement management and token distribution.
In response, the Joint Farmers’ Organisation held a meeting at Kalapani mandi on Tuesday to discuss the challenges. Senior officials, including the Sub-Collector and the Cooperative Officer, held extended consultations with farmers to address their grievances. After the administration provided written assurances on key demands, paddy lifting from mandis resumed, marking the end of the impasse.
Officials Address Key Issues
Bargarh Sub-Collector Prasanna Pande stated that farmers’ issues fell into two categories: local concerns and State-level demands. He assured them that their State-level concerns would be forwarded to the government through the District Collector.
He added that the administration had given written assurance to resolve the local demand for lifting paddy within 48 hours. He also confirmed that quality checks will now be carried out exclusively by PACS and RMC members, ensuring transparency and fairness.
Farmers Reaffirm Their Stand
Farmer representative Ramesh Mohapatra said the community had raised five major demands. He noted that the Sub-Collector and DRCS assured them of timely action on issues within their authority and committed to forwarding the remaining matters to senior officials.
He added that the P-PAS system will be implemented as it was in the previous year. Farmers expressed their willingness to participate in the procurement process if procedures are followed correctly but warned that they would resume protests if lapses occur.
