Distress sale turning youths away from vegetable farming in Hindol

Hindol, Nov 29: In absence of marketing facilities and cold stores, vegetable growers of the Hindol sub-division in the Dhenkanal district of Odisha have fallen victim to distress sales, following which youths are turning away from farming. Almost all farmers of the sub-division grow non-paddy crops, especially vegetables apart from paddy. Reportedly around 80 percent population of the Hindol area are agrarians and grow over 20 varieties of vegetables. But in the absence of cold storage and market yards, farmers are forced to sell their produce at throwaway prices. On average, they get Rs 15-Rs 20 per kg for most of the vegetables from middlemen but the product is sold at almost double in the market. Vegetable vendors from different parts of the district and neighbouring districts depend on the area. And the cool atmosphere of the area covered by greens is very friendly for vegetable farming. "Vegetable growers have fallen victim to distress sale due to lack of cold stores. Besides, there is no marketing facility to sell the produces in other big cities," said vegetable grower Khageswar Dehury. “Every year, tomato and brinjal growers resort to distress sale. Instead of being exploited by middlemen, they sell the products at throwaway prices. Following which youths are turning away from farming," said another farmer Sudam Das. Though cold storage and market yards for vegetables have been a long pending demand, the district administration has not taken any decision to resolve the problem, he added.