Maize farmers resort to distress sale in Srikakulam

Srikakulam: Maize farmers are resorting to distressed sale as government agencies not procuring the produce properly from them. As a result, farmers are unable to get even minimum support price (MSP) as fixed by the government per quintal as Rs 1,850.

Maize crop is being cultivated in upland areas in Ponduru, Rajam, Laveru, Etcherla, Ranastalam, Jalumuru, Regidi, Vangara, Santhakaviti, Palakonda, Burja, Sitampeta, Veeragattam, Kotturu, Bhamini, Pathapatnam, Srikakulam rural, Amudalavalasa, Nandigama, Palasa, Tekkali, Meliaputti, Palasa, Sompeta and Kaviti mandals. Previously agriculture and irrigation departments' officials promoted cultivation of maize crop in several mandals to save water and time. Maize crop cultivation is being completed within 90 days and required less quantity of water when compare with other crops.

Investment is also less to cultivate maize than other crops. Government will provide maize seeds on subsidy basis as part of encouragement of the crop. With the support of government, farmers in several mandals started cultivating the crop.

But this year, maize procurement process is going on slow pace by government agencies, as a result, farmers are resorting distressed sale. "We have started cultivation of maize crop with encouragement of government but now unable to get even MSP and selling our produce to the middlemen inevitably to clear our debts," T Laxmi Naidu, P Appa Rao, S Rama Rao, farmers of Ranastalam mandal said.

"We have arranged maize purchase centres but farmers are not carrying their produce to the centres," said AP Marketing Federation district manager K U P Ramani.