KHAMMAM: Badavath Laxmi, a woman farmer of Julurpad village had a dream to get her daughter married off after selling her chilli crop. Her dreams are now shattered as the prices of chilli in the market continue to plummet.
Laxmi used to cultivate cotton but this year due to lack of demand for cotton, the state government advised farmers not to cultivate cotton and instead cultivate chilli and other crops. Inspired by the state government’s suggestion, she dreamt of getting good money. But the prevailing prices have shattered her dreams.
Not only Laxmi, but more than 50,000 farmers cultivated chilli instead of cotton expecting high prices. According to official data, chilli was cultivated in 1.20 lakh acres this year against 70,000 acres last year.
On Friday the prices for chilli have fallen drastically compared to Thursday, coming down to Rs 6,700 per quintal from Rs 7,000 per quintal.
Opposition parties blame state government and ask why it encouraged chilli and failed to provide minimum support price. Congress, TDP and Left parties alleged that it is purely state’s failure as it did not purchase chilli through Markfed or Nafed.
According to market experts, main reasons for falling prices is the increase in production and crop extent as well as heavy chilli production in other states. Another important reason is that there are no exports as China, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand banned the import of chillies from India.