Now Kandhamal tribals can sell minor forest products at govt mandis

Berhampur: To check the distress sale of non-timber forest products (NTFP), Kandhamal district administration has decided to open mandis in each panchayat from next month to procure the produce.

Govt-owned Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation will procure the produces from the farmers at minimum support price (MSP), fixed by the govt.The district administration is already mapping the NTFP produced in the district and their season-wise availability for smooth collection. “The step will help farmers to supply their produce at the MSP and arrest the interference of middlemen,” said Ved Bhusan, Kandhamal collector, on Monday.He added they have planned to set up the procurement centres in each panchayat according to their production time. Additionally, they also planned to set up the mandis in some villages, he said.The collector has also directed the officials concerned to create awareness among the tribal people about the MSP and mandis.The administration has identified 21 minor forest products produced in the district, including seeded and de-seeded tamarind, sal, kusum, neem and mahua seeds, Harida, de-seeded harida, bahada, sal leaf, wild honey, hill broom, and dried amla pulp.

The govt has already issued the guidelines and fixed the MSP of these minor forest products for 2026-27.It’s perhaps for the first time in the state, Kandhamal district will open the mandis, said Gadadhar Patra, project administrator, Integrated Tribal Development Agency, Phulbani.The MSP list of various products would also be installed in different tribal haats in the district as part of the awareness drive, said Patra.