Distress sale of sunflower seed begins in Kalahandi

The Pioneer, May 13, 2009
PNS | Bhubaneswar

After paddy, cotton and sugarcane, distress sale of sunflower seed has begun in Kalahandi district due to the indifferent attitude of the district administration and the State Agriculture Department.

Due to less rain in the area, farmers have been cultivating drought-resistant sunflower instead of paddy, cotton and sugarcane since last 11 years to avoid loss.

Popularity of sunflower oil in rural areas has encouraged the farmers to cultivate the oil-seed in their lands.

This year, the seed was cultivated in 20 per cent more land than in previous year.

The farmers have already harvested the seeds, but neither any market facility is provided by the administration or the minimum support price for the seed is declared. About a quarter of seeds and flowers have been destroyed some days ago by a tornado, but the administration is not concerned about this.

In such a situation, some brokers and businessmen became active in the area. They are trying to purchase seeds at lesser price.

Farmers of M Rampur, Narla, Lanjigarh, Karlamunda and Kesinga blocks are facing a difficult time as they cannot sell the seeds at a low cost. Moreover, the poor farmers, who borrowed money from mill owners and local lenders, are being exploited.

It is high time the administration took measures in this regard, the farmers demanded.