Mandi issue continues to plague Odisha farmers despite change in governance

Under the BJD 's 24-year tenure, many pledges were made to improve the plight of farmers but nothing fruitful witnessed.

Farmers in Odisha continue to face issues despite the change in governance after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ousted the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) from power in 2024.

After 24 years of BJD rule, during which many pledges were made to ameliorate the plight of farmers but little fruitful change was witnessed, the BJP's ascent sparked fresh expectations among the farming community. As they started dreaming of a better future and good returns for their produce, expectations ran high.

However, farmers' anticipations have yet to be met fully, and they continue to face challenges such as ‘token mismanagement’ and complications with market procurement and mill owners, which are testing the limits of their patience.

An increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy to Rs 3,100 per quintal brought initial optimism. But widespread protests are continuing across the state as farmers are engaging in hunger strikes and blockades over problems they are facing during the sale of their paddy.

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Farmers' Suicide Still A Concern

The BJP had promised sweeping reforms, including complete crop procurement, tripling of farmer incomes, and providing Rs 5 lakh in health insurance alongside compensation for loss due to pests, birds, and animals. However, instances of exploitation by millers and problems in 'mandis' are escalating the situation.

Recently, around 2,26,791 hectares of crops were damaged in 16 districts due to destructive rains, affecting an estimated six lakh farmers. Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari announced a compensation package of Rs 292 crore. Despite these efforts, instances of farmer suicides continue to highlight the widespread distress.

Urgent & Meaningful Reforms Needed

In response, diverse farmer organisations have launched state-wide protests, presenting eight demands for the immediate redressal of issues in mandi functioning and proper implementation of support mechanisms.

In a unique move, Bhadrak's District Collector, Dillip Rautaray, went undercover as a farmer to gain insights into the problems faced at the grassroots level. This initiative led to administrative notices being issued to address these challenges.

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The continuing hardships, exacerbated by poor management and private sector exploitation, threaten to overwhelm the diminishing patience of Odisha's farming community, highlighting the urgent need for meaningful reforms.

By Dilip Sabat