Farmers accuse rice millers of exploitation

JEYPORE:Farmers of Koraput district have demanded the Civil Supply and Consumer Welfare Department to test the quality of paddy produced by them before handing it over to millers for custom milling.The demand comes in the wake of millers refusing to provide custom milled rice to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) stating that paddy procured from farmers is of inferior quality. Despite a State Government directive to submit the milled rice with FCI, millers have refused to do so stating that it would not meet the quality and quantity parameters set by the corporation.

According to reports, the Civil Supply Department procured 21 lakh quintals of paddy in the current crop season from the district and the stock was provided to 93 millers for producing rice. However, millers allegedly collected three to five kgs of paddy extra on every quintal from farmers in mandis citing that paddy is below fair average quality (FAQ) and the rice output would be much less. Farmers alleged that many millers collected extra paddy from them citing that this is the only way they could meet the FAQ and quantity norms. On the other hand, millers clarified that they are able to produce 61 to 62 kgs rice after milling a quintal paddy but the Civil Supply Department has asked them to provide FCI with 67 kgs rice from every quintal of paddy milled as a result of which, they are forced to collect extra paddy from farmers.

As the row between farmers and millers continues, the former have now sought intervention of the department to do a quality check of the paddy procured before sending the stock for milling. In a memorandum to the department, the Koraput farmers’ body has alleged that they are facing a loss of three to five kgs of paddy on every quintal during procurement.The members stated that only after a quality test, the exact rice output after milling can be known and this will prevent exploitation of farmers at the hands of millers. Alleging that millers are making profits at their cost, farmers warned of hitting the streets if their demand is not met before the ensuing kharif season.