Paralakhemundi,(Tarini Prasad Panda):The absence of a cotton mandi in Gajapati district has pushed local farmers into distress sales, forcing them to part with their hard-earned produce at throwaway prices to traders from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. As a result, farmers are unable to receive the rightful value for the cotton harvested after months of tireless labour.
According to farmers, Andhra traders purchase cotton through middlemen at nominal rates and later earn substantial profits in larger markets. The lack of a dedicated cotton mandi and organized marketing system in the district has left cultivators with little choice but to sell their produce under compulsion.
Cotton growers have long been demanding the establishment of a mandi in Gajapati. They say a cotton procurement centre at the regulated market yard in Paralakhemundi would provide significant relief. From there, the produce could be transported to the Gunupur mandi, enabling farmers to secure fair prices without bearing heavy transportation costs.
Currently, farmers have to transport their cotton at their own expense to Gunupur mandi, from where it is further sent to the mandi at Rayagada. This additional burden often discourages many cultivators from continuing cotton farming.
Farmers such as Kartik Sabar, Prashant Majhi and Ganesh Sabar stated that they have repeatedly appealed to the district administration and political leaders and have even staged demonstrations in front of the Collector’s office. Despite their persistent demands over the years, the district is yet to have its own cotton mandi.
Gajapati, a predominantly tribal district, largely depends on agriculture for livelihood. While farmers in Paralakhemundi, Kashinagar and Gosani areas primarily cultivate paddy, those in Rayagada, Nuagada, R. Udayagiri and Mohana blocks grow vegetables, maize and other crops along with paddy. Cotton cultivation is particularly prominent in Rayagada block and also practiced in Kashinagar, Gosani, R. Udayagiri, Nuagada, Gumma and Mohana blocks.
However, the lack of proper marketing infrastructure has discouraged many farmers from continuing cotton cultivation. The farmers have urged the government and district administration to take immediate steps to establish a cotton mandi in Gajapati so that cultivators can secure fair prices for their produce and sustain their livelihoods.
