TNI Bureau: Farmers in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district stepped up their agitation by enforcing an indefinite shutdown across three blocks—Umerkote, Raighar and Jharigaon—protesting distress sale of maize and delays in lifting paddy from procurement centres.

The shutdown, called by the Farmers’ Federation, brought daily life to a halt in the affected areas. Markets remained closed and traffic was disrupted as farmers blocked roads at several key points. Vehicles loaded with maize and paddy were parked on state highways, resulting in long traffic snarls and inconvenience to commuters.

The agitating farmers alleged that although the Centre has fixed the minimum support price of maize at ₹2,400 per quintal, cultivators in the district are being compelled to sell their produce at much lower rates, ranging between ₹1,700 and ₹1,800 per quintal. They blamed the absence of effective procurement mechanisms for the price crash.

Farmers also expressed resentment over delays in paddy procurement, warning that prolonged storage at mandis could damage crops and lead to further financial losses. They claimed that the state government’s Maize Mission has failed to provide relief at the grassroots level.

According to the Farmers’ Federation, repeated appeals to the district administration have gone unaddressed, forcing cultivators to intensify their protest. Farmer representatives said the agitation would continue until fair prices for maize are ensured and paddy is lifted without delay.

The indefinite shutdown is scheduled to continue till December 29, 2025. Authorities have deployed police at sensitive locations and are closely monitoring the situation as disruptions persisted on several important routes in the district.