WARANGAL: The wait for procurement of maize at Enumamula Agricultural Market has become agonising for several farmers, having crossed the 20-day mark.
While farmers allege negligence and lack of response from officials in purchasing the maize crop, private traders are making the most of the situation, but at the cost of the tillers.
A good number of farmers TNIE spoke to at the market yard, Asia’s largest agricultural market, said that they have been waiting for nearly three weeks to complete sales. With Markfed yet to begin procurement, many said they were forced to sell to private traders at Rs 1,782 per quintal, well below the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 2,400. In some cases, prices dropped to Rs 1,609.
Data from market authorities accessed by TNIE showed that 22 licenced private traders were actively purchasing maize, though in limited quantities, at these lower rates.
At the market yard, heaps of maize lay exposed while farmers waited near weighing points. Some spread their produce to dry, uncertain about when procurement would begin.
R Komuraiah, a farmer from Upparapalle village in Chennarapeta mandal, alleged that officials had not initiated weighing operations and had failed to supply gunny bags and tarpaulin sheets.
Farmers say officials shifting blame on govt
“We are appealing to the state government to start procurement immediately and ensure MSP is paid,” he said.
B Srinu, a farmer from Medapalle village in Nallabely mandal, said farmers had been waiting for over two weeks and there is no clarity. “Officials say there are no orders from the government. If this continues, we will protest at the collectorate,” he said.
Farmers have urged the state government to direct Markfed to begin procurement without further delay.
Warangal district manager of Markfed, Mahesh Kumar, was not available for comment.
