Baniyani: Farmers from the Kachankawal rural municipality in Jhapa district are increasingly worried about the lack of a proper market for their paddy crops. This concern is particularly pronounced for chaite dhan, the paddy cultivated in the Chait month, which currently has no sale, according to Durga Prasad Thapa, a farmer from Kanchankawal rural municipality-2.

Despite the rice being ready for harvest, a significant slump in prices has distressed the farmers. Previously, they were able to sell the rice for Rs 1,050 to Rs 1,200 per maan, but prices have recently plummeted to around Rs 900 per maan, as reported by Toyanath Mishra from Kachankawal-3. This sharp decline has come at a crucial time for paddy harvest and sale, exacerbating the farmers' financial concerns.

As a member of the rice super zone coordination committee, Thapa emphasized that while the government has encouraged paddy production, it should also ensure proper sales and marketing management. He expressed hope that paddy production would increase this year, but the current market situation undermines this optimism. The farmers are forced to sell their produce immediately after threshing since chaite dhan is not as dry as regular rice and cannot be practically stored for long periods.

Mishra shared the plight of the farmers, highlighting their urgent need to sell chaite dhan despite the loss they face due to low prices. If the paddy is not sold on time, it risks decaying, further adding to their troubles. He noted that over the past week, they have struggled to secure a fair price for their produce.

The government's decision on March 28 to fix the minimum support price of chaite dhan at Rs 2,707 per quintal, stipulating that the rice should not have more than 18 percent wetness, has not provided the intended relief. Farmers are currently forced to sell their paddy at prices lower than the government's minimum support price, intensifying their financial burdens and raising concerns about the sustainability of their livelihoods.

Overall, the situation highlights a critical need for government intervention to stabilize paddy prices and ensure that farmers receive a fair return on their produce, thus supporting the agricultural sector and rural economy.