Bhubaneswar, May 27 -- Ragi farmers in Odisha's tribal-dominated Rayagada district are facing mounting financial distress amid allegations of delayed procurement and non-payment for crops sold at mandis under the government-backed Shree Anna Abhiyan scheme.

Despite large-scale government promotion of ragi cultivation in the district, many farmers claim they are yet to receive payments for produce sold several months ago. The delay has reportedly left cultivators struggling to repay loans and manage household expenses ahead of the next farming season.

Farmers have alleged that technical issues related to the government portal and e-pass system have disrupted procurement and payment processes, triggering growing dissatisfaction across sev...