Bhubaneswar, Jan 5: Farmers across Odisha are facing mounting distress as paddy procurement has come to a standstill due to the ongoing strike by rice millers. Despite multiple rounds of discussions between the state government and All Odisha Rice Millers’ Association (AORMA), no resolution has been reached, leaving thousands of quintals of paddy unsold in mandis and village courtyards.

Mandis at a Standstill

In Sambalpur district’s Rairakhol subdivision, the Badbahal mandi has remained closed for over 15 days. Farmers’ paddy bags lie stacked in cooperative society verandas and trucks, triggering frustration and protests. Similar scenes are visible in Ganjam district’s Jagannathprasad block, where heaps of paddy remain outside homes, forcing farmers to sell at distress prices of Rs1,800 per quintal to private traders.

Widespread Impact

The strike has spread to Mayurbhanj district, where 19 mandis across Badasahi and Betanati blocks have shut down. Farmers holding procurement tokens are unable to sell their produce, raising concerns about meeting procurement targets before Makar Sankranti. Many fear that if tokens lapse, they will be forced to sell at lower rates to middlemen.

Also Read: Centre to Procure Additional 6 Lakh MT of Rice from Odisha

Millers’ Demands

The millers’ association has pressed for four key demands: clearance of pending dues for paddy storage, revision of custom milling charges, and an increase in transportation costs. Association president Mahesh Bansal reiterated that procurement would remain suspended until these demands are met. The Food Supplies Department has held repeated meetings, but talks have failed to yield consensus.

Government Response

Meanwhile, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra has assured that the government is aware of the millers’ concerns and is working towards a solution. However, with procurement halted statewide, farmers remain anxious about storage, pricing, and recovery of cultivation costs.