Jeypore, Aug 7: The government-owned Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd (TDCCOL) has failed to procure sal seeds from tribals.
The TDCCOL issued a notice to procure sal seeds (Shorea robusta) from tribals of nine districts on May 22, 2023 after a gap of three years, howevere, did not annpounce the date of procurement.
The procurement process began on June 10 and ran upto June 13 that forced the seed collectors to sell the produce at throwaway prices.
Besides, the corporation left-out seed collectors of some major districts - Deogarh, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nayagarh and Nabarangpur forcing them to distress sale.
The decision came very late following which tribal people in several districts had already sold their seeds to local traders and intermediaries at Rs 10 to Rs 15 per kg against the MSP of Rs 20.
Notably, the state government has entrusted the self-help groups, Primary Procurement Agencies, Van Dhan Vikas Kendras and Odisha Rural Development And Marketing Society (ORMAS) to procure sal seeds from the primary collectors.
Due to negligence on part of the state government, non-profit organisations (NGOs) working for tribals help in selling of their produces at good prices.
