PARLAKHEMUNDI: Delay in opening mandi for cotton farmers in Gajapati district has forced them to sell the produce at a price much lesser than the Government rate to the traders.
According to sources, every year the district administration opens a mandi for cotton farmers on the premises of Regulated Market Committee (RMC) here and the minimum support price is fixed by Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). But, as the mandi has not started functioning the farmers, particularly those of Rayagada block, began selling their produce at `3,400 per quintal while CCI fixed the price between `3,800 and `4,100 depending on the length of the staple.
Rayagada block Chairperson Purnabasi Nayak said cotton cultivation is the only source of livelihood for the villagers living under four panchayats of Koradasingi, Sanatundi, Rayagada and Marlova. But, due to delay in opening the mandi the farmers are forced to sell their produce to middlemen and traders less than MSP.
According to sources in district agriculture office, cotton was cultivated in 1,467 hectares in Gajapati district of which 680 acres are in Kasinagar, 675 ha in Rayagada, 75 ha in Gosani, 12 ha in R Udayagiri, 20 ha in Gumma and five ha in Mohana block.
Secretary of RMC, Parlakhemundi, D Ganapati said every year CCI purchases cotton directly from farmers at our mandi at the price fixed by CCI. The RMC provides infrastructure and other support to CCI for the purpose, Ganapati added.
Last year, CCI purchased about 20,000 quintals of cotton from farmers of Gajapati district at the RMC yard. This year, steps are being taken to open the mandi soon, he added.
Zilla Parishad member Antaryami Gomang said, immediate steps should be taken by the Government to prevent distress sale of cotton and stop farmers from ending their lives.