NFC offering higher prices for paddy

BHAIRAHAWA, JAN 20 -

Farmers here have been able to get a good deal on their paddy as the branch office of Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) has been buying it at fixed prices. NFC has been supplying rice to prisons in the area. Earlier, farmers were compelled to sell their rice to local traders at lower prices.

The NFC branch office plans to buy 10,000 quintals of paddy of the Gorakhnath Masino variety, a popular type in the region. The number of farmers visiting the corporation’s office to sell paddy has increased as it has a fixed price and makes payment immediately.

Farmers are confident that local traders too will raise the buying rates of paddy as the corporation has been offering a better rate.

“Farmers have been coming to the corporation as we are offering a better rate for their paddy,” said Ram Krishna Panta, head of the corporation’s office. “Last year, the corporation did not succeed in buying paddy as local traders hiked prices two consecutive times, and paid more than what it was offering.”

NFC aims to mill the paddy in Kathmandu and sell it after bagging it. The corporation has set the purchase price of paddy at Rs 2,600 per quintal. The office has also fixed the quality standard and adulteration level. Gorakhnath Masino is the most widely grown paddy in the Tarai. Local merchants have been purchasing it at Rs 2,400 to Rs 2,450 per quintal.

“I am very happy to sell paddy to the corporation,” said Ganesh Baniya of Hatifsartikar who sold 50 quintals. “We were usually paid little, and not only that, the payment is delayed.” According to him, most farmers are forced to sell paddy to local traders at lower prices in order to recover their investment quickly.

(Source: The Kathmandu Post)