Vegetable prices soar as farmers' agitation enters Day-3
04 Jun 2018
Prices of vegetables continued to scale new highs as the 10-day nationwide protest by farmers entered the fourth day today and farmers’ outfits continued to resist transport of vegetables, fruits and milk to the city markets.
The protests, led by Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh, an umbrella organisation of over 100 farmers' bodies from across the country, affected supplies of vegetables and milk, which in turn increased vegetable prices.
On Sunday, activists of the Bharatiya Kisan Andolan along with farmers dumped their tomato produce on a road in Meerut, during the protest over various issues, including loan waiver and right price for their produce.
While there were no cases of violence during the "Gaon Bandh", which the farmers started on Friday demanding loan waiver, higher prices for their produce and immediate implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report, reports said in some places vegetables were being sold under police protection.
"The farmers are supporting the agitation in a big way because of which the supplies are not reaching the cities (from villages). The government is trying to break the protest but has failed," Aam Kisan Union chief Kedar Sirohi told mediapersons.
On Saturday, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar stated the reason for the protest as a 'non-issue'.
In Mumbai prices of perishables like tomato, onion and other vegetables continued to rise on a daily basis.
Vegetable prices also rose in some cities of Punjab, Haryana and MP as fresh supplies dipped.
In Madhya Pradesh’s Betul district, milk federation manager M Satish said supplies dropped by 3,300 litres on Friday.
In Chandigarh, local traders said the retail price of vegetables has started to soar due to lower arrivals. Tomato, which was being sold between Rs10-12 per kg couple of days ago has now surged to Rs20-25 per kg.
Farmers continued to hold protests at several places in Punjab, including Nabha, Ludhiana, Muktsar and Ferozepur. Reports said farmers put up barricades to prevent supply of vegetables and milk entering cities.
The states where the farmers have started the stir include Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, and those in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and other states may join them. The plan also includes a nationwide bandh on June 10.