Despondency is writ large on the faces of beleaguered farmers who thronged the agricultural market in large numbers bringing with them the months of toil in red chilli bags.
At the Enumamula agricultural market, you just touch any farmer, he would relate a heart rending tale. “I harvested 22 bags of chilli and paid ₹22,000 for labour. Now, the trader is offering ₹3,000 per bag. What is left for me? What about my investment?” posed Nalmela Shankaraiah, who came from Chelpur village of Mulug Ghanpur mandal in Bhupalpalli district.
According to him, the same chilli variety Sagar Wonderhot fetched him ₹12,000 per quintal last year. Hoping that the price will remain the same this year, he opted for chilli crop this time also, but in vain.
Only tears
Worst is the story of T Tirupathi Rao of same village who sold all his 22 bags at ₹1,800 per quintal and left the market dejected. “I have nothing but tears. I cannot talk but take whatever I get and cry alone,” he said wiping his tears.
A police officer who was standing there on security duty remarked “What is this sir? The same chilli commanded ₹12,000 to ₹17,000 per quintal. Now, offering an average of ₹3,000 is too much”.
Another farmer Kothapalli Raghupathi of Abbapur village in Mulug mandal said he came with 22 bags of first picking with good quality. He was asked to give it for ₹3,000. Then another trader offered ₹3,500 per quintal and another trader offered ₹4,000. “That is it sir. Not more than ₹4,000 per quintal whatever the quality and variety. The traders ganged up and decided not to raise the price,” he said in choked voice.
No storage
All the 16 cold storages in and around the city were booked by the traders and there was no space for farmers to stock and sell it later at a higher price. “We are not an organised lot unlike other workers. We have to hurry back to our villages. This is our fate,” said frustrated Raghupathi.
