Kolabira, 19.2 (Fast News Odisha): Farmers who are facing many problems like rain-affected Mausuma, Rokpok Maruchi, are now facing various problems regarding the sale of their wasted crops after harvesting. Farmers who farmed with difficulty by taking loans from bank cooperatives and sahukars have suffered an untimely death. Even though a lot of time has passed since the grain was harvested, the farmer has not been able to sell his grain. The delay in opening the paddy market, the token problem after the market opening, and the burden of cutting the crop along with the dumping of plastic material by the millers have caused concern among the farmers. The farmers of Samasingha area, which is mainly affected by the token and target problem, have taken steps like blocking the highway. Even so, the problem has not been resolved. The decision is pending between the Millers and the district administration. In Kolabira block, 5 cooperatives and 4 women’s SHGs, which are responsible for purchasing paddy from farmers, have been completely stopped from buying paddy since the 13th. There is a need for a new target for the purchase of nearly 21,000 doublets of paddy for the entire Kolabira block. Farmers who are unable to sell paddy due to lack of target are suffering from financial hardship. Farmers are waiting for the target. Farmers of Samasingha and Sochamal Co-operative Society in NY Kolabira Block submitted a demand letter to the Chief Minister on Wednesday demanding early delivery of the target and warned that they will block the road if the target is not met. According to the demand letter, the farmers are waiting for the target for the sale of 1422 quintals of grain for the Samasingha Cooperative and 3600 quintals for the Sochamal Cooperative. Therefore, it was mentioned in the demand letter issued by the Ma Durga Farmers Association to provide the new target as soon as possible. It was also warned that if the new target is not reached by the evening of 18th, then the farmers will protest on the highway from 19th. However, by evening, the target of 800 quintals was reached for both the grain procurement centers, but this percentage was not enough, and the union continued to demand for a higher target. On Thursday, from 8 am at Bajrang Street in Samasingha, the President of Farmers Union, Chetanand Patel, Tulswar Patel, Tularam Captain, Kedar Patel, Gautam Naik Vismadev Patel, Okarmal Sahu Laxman. Rohidas, Guru Charan Sahu Keshav Patel, Babun Patel and other prominent workers gathered together and sat in meditation. Later, at 12:00 pm, Kolabira Tehsildar Manoj Prabhakar Kujur reached Ghatnapul and talked to the agitating farmers and the workers of the Farmers Union, but after the farmers stayed at Yedar, some farmer leaders went to the District Supply Officer and the District Magistrate to raise the issue. But as he could not meet with both of them, he visited the additional supply officer and informed him about the problem. Farmers’ leader Chetanand Patel, Tularam captain, Laxman Rohidaskedor Patel, Gautam Naik gave a major warning that farmer’s paddy should be purchased as soon as possible by giving a target. 90 percent people of Kolabira block area depend on agriculture. Agriculture is their standard. They said that the farmers’ world runs on the proceeds of the sale of rice and wheat, the national oilseeds, the national fiber, the national vegetable, the national spices and the sale of sugarcane. The farmers’ spines are shaking in droughts, floods, and storms. They have demanded not to create any obstacle in the purchase of the crops till the farmers get the grain by giving the required amount of target.
Samir Kumar Patel reports from Kolbira, Fast News Odisha.