Bargarh (Niranjan Tripathy)-: A delegation from the Joint Farmers’ Organization submitted a demand letter to Odisha’s Chief Minister through Deputy Collector Uttam Kumar Bagh, urging the state government not to implement the Agricultural Marketing and National Policy Framework 2024 proposed by the central government.
Odisha is an agrarian state where nearly 70-80% of the population depends on farming. However, farmers face numerous challenges, including recurrent natural calamities, inadequate government support, poor irrigation facilities, subsidy mismanagement, lack of proper market structures, absence of cold storage facilities, and limited access to agricultural loans. These factors have forced many farmers to migrate to other states in search of work. Despite these hardships, their dedication has transformed Odisha from a food-deficient region into a surplus-producing state, yet their monthly income remains significantly lower than the national average, highlighting the need for government intervention.
On December 28, 2024, the central government issued guidelines to all states, urging them to implement the new Agricultural Marketing and National Policy Framework. However, according to Article 246 of the Constitution and the Seventh Schedule, agriculture falls under the jurisdiction of state governments, requiring their consent for any new agricultural law. The Joint Farmers’ Organization, along with several national-level farmer unions, has strongly opposed this policy, fearing it would lead to the corporatization of agricultural markets.
Farmers recall the three controversial farm laws introduced by the central government during the COVID-19 pandemic. After 13 months of nationwide protests and the sacrifice of 700 farmers, these laws were repealed. Many believe the new policy is another attempt to privatize the agricultural sector under the guise of reforms.
The farmers have raised several concerns, including the need to strengthen Agricultural Produce Market Committees, as 1,100 out of 7,057 markets have already shut down. They demand their revival and proper government management to ensure fair pricing. In Odisha, 1.4 million farmers sold 6.4 million metric tons of paddy this year, but payments worth ₹5,200 crore are still pending. Similarly, in Bargarh district, 250,000 farmers have sold 7.75 million quintals of paddy, amounting to ₹6,200 crore, yet payments have not been disbursed. There is also strong opposition to market privatization, as farmers fear private corporations controlling agricultural markets will push them into deeper financial distress.
The organization hopes that the Odisha government will reject the central government’s market privatization policy to safeguard farmers’ interests. They have warned that if any decision goes against farmers’ welfare, a nationwide protest will be launched. This issue will also be discussed at the upcoming State-Level Farmers’ Mahapanchayat on March 17.
Farmer leaders, including Ramesh Mahapatra, Suresh Nikenti, Babarubahan Sahu, and Swabhiman Jena, led the delegation that submitted the demand letter to Deputy Collector Uttam Kumar Bagh.
