Farmers of Gajapati sell paddy to Andhra traders

Ahead of procurement in Gajapati from Tuesday, traders from neighboring Andhra Pradesh are busy buying paddy stock from the district's farmers and even issuing tokens to them.

- SISIR PANIGRAHY @Berhampur

AHEAD of procurement in Gajapati from Tuesday, traders from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh are busy buying paddy stock from the district's farmers and even issuing tokens to them.

Gajapati authorities claim to have installed CCTV cameras at border check points, besides keeping a strict vigil on transportation but right under their nose, AP traders are in business as a result of which trucks carrying paddy from Gajapati are making their way to the neighbouring state.

A good quantity of harvested paddy is still wet and discoloured but Andhra traders are purchasing at will and at a much lower price than the minimum support price in Odisha. This year, the state government is paying an input subsidy of ₹800 over and above the MSP of ₹2,300 per quintal of paddy which meets FAQ standard.