Turmeric price in the market is the reason for farmers being unhappy in the beginning of the season itself with even the top variety fetching less than ₹7,000 per quintal as on Friday. As the price is far lower than what they expected, some farmers who can afford the transport charges are going to Sangli market in Maharashtra where it is over ₹9,000.
Though the crop is traded through e-NAM (electronic national agriculture market) to avoid the intervention of middlemen, farmers and their associations allege that price is being rigged in favour of them by forming a cartel. They also allege that authorities are hand in glove with traders.
Low yield per acre this season due to the absence of rain on time, increase in investments and low price have put farmers in trouble. Dozens of farmers arrived from different areas, including Metpally, Korutla, Jagityal and Nirmal, and are waiting with the produce at the marketyard. Anthimosa Buchanna, a farmer from Ibrahimpatnam in Korutla constituency, who brought 16 quintals, said that turmeric price is very disappointing as it has not crossed ₹7,000. Last year too, it was almost the same, he said. “Per acre yield drastically fell to 20 quintals, compared to 30 quintals last season. We have invested up to ₹1 lakh per acre and if the price is at least ₹10,000, we will be out of trouble,” he said. “I have no alternative other than hanging myself as I am in deep debts. The government should come to our rescue,” he said, fighting back tears. “There is no minimum support price for the crop. Authorities seem to be helpless in this matter,” said A. Devender Reddy, chairman, village development committee, Ankapur.
The district is known for the commercial crop-turmeric and it is largely grown in Armoor, Balkonda and Nizamabad rural constituencies. According to unofficial sources, it is cultivated in over 50,000 acres and farmers toil on field for nine months to produce it. The crop after the harvest undergoes a long process of cleaning, boiling and drying before being brought to market. Approximately between 9 to 10 lakh quintals come to the market here every year.
All India Kisan Mazdoor Sangh (AIKMS) State secretary V. Prabhakar, who led a delegation to the market yard to observe turmeric market condition on Friday, told The Hindu that farmers are being exploited by traders. The traders formed a syndicate and hence price has not crossed ₹6,000 per quintal, he said.
