Paddy procurement in Odisha’s Bargarh district has stalled, leaving thousands of farmers unpaid and selling below minimum price.

Paddy procurement in Odisha’s Bargarh district has stalled despite official launch, leaving farmers frustrated and selling at below-minimum prices. Over 5,000 farmers remain unregistered, mandis lack storage space, and millers have not finalized agreements with the state. The online portal remains inactive, delaying sales, and many farmers have already sold to private traders for 1,500–1,600 rupees per quintal. With no procurement yet, protests loom, and opposition leaders are demanding urgent government action to prevent further hardship.