Farmers in Odisha's Kendrapada district are facing severe financial distress, compelled to sell their freshly harvested paddy at prices significantly lower than the government-mandated minimum support price. This crisis stems from a gap between the harvest season and the scheduled commencement of state procurement operations.
Procurement Delay Forces Desperate Sales
The Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC) has officially announced that it will begin procuring paddy from Kendrapada farmers on January 9, 2026. The district's civil supplies officer, Benudhar Panigrahi, stated that the state agency plans to buy 81,200 metric tonnes of paddy through 118 primary agriculture cooperative societies (PACS).
However, for farmers who have already completed their harvest, waiting for over two months is not a viable option. Bhikari Mohanty, a farmer from Ichapur village, shared his plight, explaining that he harvested paddy from his four acres two weeks ago. Unable to wait until January, he sold six quintals to a local mill owner at just Rs 2,500 per quintal.
The Stark Gap Between Promise and Reality
The government's declared price for paddy is a robust Rs 3,100 per quintal. This figure combines the Centre's Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 2,369 for common variety paddy (Rs 2,389 for Grade-A) with an additional Rs 800 per quintal as input assistance from the Odisha state government.
In stark contrast, the current market reality sees farmers receiving offers as low as Rs 2,400 to Rs 2,500 per quintal from private traders and mill owners. This represents a loss of Rs 600 to Rs 700 per quintal, a devastating blow to agricultural incomes.
Logistical Hurdles and Official Response
Beyond the delay, farmers cite critical logistical challenges. Arjun Mandal from Batighar village highlighted the danger and difficulty of transporting paddy to the designated procurement centre. "It is not possible to sell paddy to the primary agriculture cooperative society at Ramanagar, which is 10 km away, by crossing the crocodile-infested river," he said.
Officer Panigrahi warned of action against mill owners flouting rules and noted that 52,092 farmers have already registered online to sell their crop, hoping for more registrations. Meanwhile, farmer leader Umesh Chandra Singh provided context on the scale of cultivation, noting paddy was grown on 1,17,554 hectares of the district's 1,42,165 hectares. He lamented the annual cycle of distress sales and urged authorities to intervene effectively to protect farmers from exploitative practices.
The situation underscores a persistent gap in agricultural marketing infrastructure and timely intervention, forcing farmers into a cycle of vulnerability despite announced support prices.
