Farmers attached to the Ulundurpet Regulated Market Committee blocked traffic in front of the committee premises to voice their disillusionment with lack of demand for their produce on Tuesday.
The farmers from at least 30 villages, including Thirunavalur Ulundurpet, Elavanasurkottai and Kalamarudhur, were bringing their produce such as paddy, horsegram, maize and other millets to the market committee. However, of late, the traders were evincing keen interest in buying only paddy and were shunning other foodgrains. It had caused displeasure and disappointment among those farmers who were burdened with unsold stocks for the past three months.
Committee blamed
They blamed the market committee for such an unavoidable situation.
They opined that if at all the officials of the market committee took any semblance of efforts to bring traders from other parts of the district, they could have easily sold their produce. Therefore, out of frustration they blocked the vehicular traffic on the Chennai—Tiruchi National Highway.
On information the police reached the spot and asked them to disperse.
The farmers then besieged the market committee office and only on the assurance of the Superintendent of the committee, Gunasekaran, that steps would be taken to find takers for all foodgrains, they dispersed peacefully.
Traders are evincing keen interest in buying only paddy and shunning other foodgrains
