Khariar : Once again the families depending on Non Timber Forest Produces (NTFP)
Of Nuapada district for their livelihood, face uncertainly so far as marketing of the produce is concerned.

Though the availability of amla in the local markets indicates that the harvest of NTFP was over and ready for marketing, the Panchayat Samities are yet to fix the procurement prices putting a question mark on the fair deal for the tribals.

About 80% families in Nuapada district supplement their income from collection and sell of NTFP products.

With an aim to ensure fair price to the collectors, the state government transferred ownership of 67 NTFP items to Panchayat Samities.

The Samities were assigned to fix the minimum procurement price of NTFP products by September 30th every year, But, non of the Samities has taken up the job seriously, lamented Ahalya Patel, the president of Nari Shakti Mahasangha, Kansbahal, a federation of SHG engaged in marketing of NTFP.
Of the 5 Samities in the district, only Khariar Panchayat Samities had fixed a price in November.

The non-fixation of minimum price has put the Mahasangha in a fix as it plans to trade in mahul, amla, char and other products.

Collective bargaining and marketing of NTFP is high on the agenda of some NGOs working in west and south Orissa.

Ensuring fair price to the primary collector of the produce is our aim, said programme officer of OXFAM Sumanjali Mohanty.

Since the crop is expected to be good, chances of distress sale and exploitation by middlemen is predicted in the absence of regulatory authority, Mohanty added.