NELLORE: After facing consecutive crop losses for the past two years, farmers have pinned their hopes on the Priyanka variety of chilli this season, expecting to recover from mounting financial burdens. Initially, the market gave them reason to celebrate as the produce fetched Rs 55,000 per tonne, raising optimism across chilli-growing villages.
Farmers from various mandals have cultivated Priyanka chillies under filter points and borewells. With favourable weather and adequate irrigation, yields were on par with expectations.
Middlemen had spread word that there was strong demand for the Priyanka variety at the Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex in Chennai, and in markets like Bengaluru. Encouraged by this, many farmers invested heavily in cultivation, spending on quality seeds, fertilisers, labour and transportation.
However, as arrivals increased in the markets, prices began to tumble sharply. The rate has now fallen to Rs 35,000 per tonne, and in retail markets, the produce is not even fetching Rs 30 per kg. The sudden crash has left farmers in deep distress.
“We thought this season would help us recover from two years of continuous losses. When the price touched Rs 55,000 per tonne, we were relieved. But now it has fallen drastically. We don’t even know how to repay our loans,” said Ramesh, a farmer from Maddali village.
Another farmer from Venkannapalem lamented, “We invested nearly Rs 1.5 lakh per acre. With the current price, we are barely covering transportation costs. Middlemen are dictating the rates, and we have no bargaining power.”
Some farmers, having no alternative, are selling their green chillies at the rates offered by traders to avoid further losses. Others are loading their produce into mini vans and travelling directly to Koyambedu in the hope of securing a better price.
“We are taking the risk of transporting the produce ourselves. If we get even Rs 40,000 per tonne, it will ease our burden slightly,” said a farmer from Kesavaram.
Farmers have urged the government to intervene by ensuring minimum support prices, regulating middlemen, and facilitating direct marketing facilities to protect them from severe price fluctuations.