Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Oct 3: The falling price of paddy as the harvest season approaches is causing significant concern among farmers in the region. This year, the drop in prices has been sharper than usual, alarming those who rely on paddy cultivation.

Farmers report that dealers are offering just Rs 22 to Rs 23 per kilogram for paddy, compared to Rs 26 to Rs 28 last year. They note that the price typically decreases during the harvest season and rises again after one or two months.

In Udupi district, farmers do not store their paddy and sell it immediately after harvest, leading to lower prices. Farmers argue that this trend is driven by rice mill owners looking to maximize profits.

Mill owners, however, claim that paddy has higher moisture content at the start of the harvest due to frequent rains, and prices increase as the paddy dries out over time. Despite this, farmers say they receive the same price for both wet and dry paddy.

Kota Shivarmurthy Upadhya, a farmer from Kota, expressed frustration, saying, "Mills in Udupi and Mangaluru procure paddy at lower costs from other districts, sidelining local farmers. This is unfair, farmers from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada should be prioritized."

Farmer organizations are calling for the district administration to intervene, urging a meeting with rice mill owners to ensure fair pricing for local farmers.

District administration officials and the agriculture department stated that they have not yet received formal complaints about the issue but assured an investigation if one is filed.

Jayaram Shetty Manoor, president of the Raithadhwani organization, warned, "Protests are inevitable if mill owners continue offering lower prices this year. Farmers must refuse to sell their paddy at minimal rates under any circumstances. We have appealed to the Deputy Commissioner (DC), and we are hopeful for a resolution."

Dr Vidyakumari, deputy commissioner of Udupi, acknowledged the situation, saying, "Rice mill owners are offering farmers Rs 22 to Rs 23 per kilogram, a significant drop according to farmer organizations. A meeting between mill owners and farmer representatives will be arranged to safeguard farmers' interests."

Poornima, joint director of the agriculture department in Udupi, added, "The district administration and agriculture department will hold a meeting with APMC mill owners soon to address the paddy pricing issue."