Farmers Sell Paddy Below Support Price Due to Delayed Government Procurement
Summary
Farmers in Kailali are selling paddy below the government’s support price because state procurement has been delayed. The Food Management and Trade Company Limited says it is waiting for quota approval from the central office before starting purchases.
Key Points
- Farmers in Kailali are forced to sell paddy to private traders below the government support price because official procurement has not started on time.
- Shyam Rana sold coarse paddy at Rs 2,750 per quintal, far below the Rs 3,660 support price, because he needed cash for wheat planting and household expenses.
- The provincial office of the Food Management and Trade Company Limited in Dhangadhi says procurement can begin only after the central office approves the purchase quota.
- Kailali’s paddy procurement was delayed this year partly due to a late Dasain festival and rain disrupting harvesting work.
