HYDERABAD: With no takers for his produce even after travelling for more than 300 km, a farmer dumped 35 boxes containing 25 kg tomatoes each, at Bowenpally market and left the scene on Wednesday. His action resulted from acute frustration over plummeting market price of tomatoes which stood at Rs 50 a box. Hailing from Anantapur, the farmer had spent Rs 60 per box in just bringing his produce to the city.
This is not an isolated case and is bound to have happened, say experts, attributing it to demonetisation. It has not made it easy, but added on to the misery of small and marginal farmers, that started two years ago with severe drought in TS and AP.
“These small and marginal farmers have not seen the light of the day for two years now. Leave alone recovering costs of cultivation and making profits, they are not earning anything to make ends meet,” remarked Pidigam Saidaiah, assistant professor, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University.
Small and marginal farmers have shifted to cultivating short-term crops because of drought.
“Also, productivity of horticulture crops is high during winter. Hence there is a lot of supply. With no money and people opting to buy from markets and going cashless, these farmers are running in loss,” pointed Saidaiah.
The cost of cultivation in this season can be estimated to be Rs 6 per kg and an added Rs 2 for transportation. While the official cost was Rs 4 per kg on Wednesday, this farmer was quoted Rs 2 for his produce.
“You cannot even call it a no loss or no profit. He also has to go back and there is no guarantee that he would sell all of it,” said Saidaiah, adding that this has become the trend with farmers selling horticulture crops that include fruits and vegetables.