Farmers in Agra have demanded that the district administration should provide them some relaxations during lockdown so that they can sell their produce in cities. They said in absence of this, the produce will rot in the fields. Farmers say they are unable to even sell milk at Rs 20/litre and that most of their vegetables are rotting.
Representatives of various farmers’ organisations met the Agra district magistrate Prabhu N Singh and demanded that the government should provide adequate storage facility. Mohan Singh Chahar, president of the Kisaan Sangh, said the government started procuring wheat from April 15 but there is no storage facility available at these procurement centres.
“Wheat is lying in the open and if it rains, the entire harvest will be spoiled. Since there is no storage facility, farmers have stopped selling their wheat,” he said.
Farmer leader Shyam Singh claimed that the entire crop of mustard is lying unsold because they are unable to transport it to the cities due to the lockdown.
“Even our vegetables are rotting in the farms,” he said.
Speaking to IndiaToday.in, DM Prabhu N Singh said he heard the farmers and has made note of their suggestions. He however added that these issues can be resolved only after the lockdown.
He said after May 31, the Centre and state governments will issue fresh guidelines and arrangements will be made accordingly. He said he is hopeful that state government will address the concerns raised by farmers.
Meanwhile, District Agriculture Officer Ram Pravesh Singh said the government’s procurement rate for wheat is Rs 1,925. But farmers are demanding an additional bonus of Rs 200. Similarly, government’s procurement price for mustard is Rs 3,840 but farmers are demanding the market price of Rs 4,425 per quintal.
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