VIJAYAWADA: Reiterating his commitment to protect the interests of chilli farmers in the wake of a slump in market prices, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu urged traders and exporters to cooperate with the State government in this regard.
At a meeting with representatives of chilli farmers, traders, exporters and commission agents, besides officials of the agriculture and marketing departments on Saturday, the Chief Minister informed them that understanding the plight of chilli farmers and to bail them out of the predicament, he wrote letters to the Centre on December 26, 2024 and again on February 5 and 11 this year. In case the chilli prices fall below Rs 11,781 per quintal, the Centre has come forward to procure the crop through the Market Intervention Scheme with the State and the Centre bearing the cost equally.
However, farmers expressed their reservations over the same, pointing out that chilli farmers from other States might take advantage of it and move their produce to AP. Taking their opinion into consideration, Naidu promised to discuss the matter with the Centre to take a final call. The farmers urged Naidu to consider revisiting the bonus scheme for chilli farmers as he did during his previous tenure.
Probe ordered into complaints of excess truck charges at Mirchi Yard
Naidu reminded the farmers that in 2017 when a similar situation arose, his government provided Rs 1,500 per quintal, and spent Rs 135 crore. Now, also every effort will be made to protect their interests, he said. He also promised to consider extending assistance to the farmers, who had registered through e-Crop and based on crop sales records with Mirchi Yard.
He made it clear that every rupee spent on farmers should benefit them only and not middlemen or others. Also, steps will be initiated to sanction loans to the farmers, who store their chilli stocks in cold storage plants, he assured.
When the farmers made a complaint against truck operators at Guntur Mirchi Yard for charging excess amounts, the Chief Minister ordered an inquiry into it. Since mango and chilli cultivation is more in the State, discussions will soon be held with the Centre on setting up a board in Andhra Pradesh, he said.
On the issues raised by exporters, he promised to talk to the Krishnapatnam Port management and officials about the transport of chilli stocks.
