Nellore: Millet farmers in financial doldrums

Nellore: Millet farmers across the district have been facing financial losses as they are unable to get remunerative price for their produce. There is no millet polishing unit in the district. Traders or middlemen say that the stocks have to be shifted either to Tirupati or Kurnool for polishing which would add more expenditure to the production cost.

Consumption of millets has been substantially increased during recent times due to health consciousness among people. For ages, these food grains were used for human consumption and also as fodder for animals. Now, they are popular for their nutrient-rich composition.

As these commodities are useful for diabetic patients, the demand for millets is also increasing. They are a rich source of fibre, minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, zinc and potassium," said Dr CV Subrahmanyam, a leading physician in the city.

The state government is promoting alternative crop patterns and use of natural farming methods. But farmers have been facing problems due to lack of support price for the produce. Now, many farmers who have cultivated millets through organic farming are not getting remunerative price, but the commodity is sold at higher prices in markets.

Now, the millets are being sold at Rs. 150-180 per kg on online and locally the price ranges between Rs. 100 and Rs 130 per kg. Of late, millets like ragi, jowar and bajra are used to prepare several snacks and dishes like idlis, noodles, dosas, kitchidi etc. Some restaurants are also offering millet-based food to the customers for making huge bucks quoting health benefits.

Majority online sites like Amazon, Flipkart and others are selling at Rs. 150-180 per kg. But poor farmers are facing tough situation to get remunerative price. "We have cultivated korralu (foxtail millet) in 14 acres in Podalakur mandal and we have not used chemical fertilisers or pesticides.

Totally, we invested Rs 1.50 lakh. It is doubtful whether we can get our production cost as we are offered low prices for our produce by the traders, said D Sudheera, a woman farmer. She said there is no polishing facility in the district which is a major setback to the farmers. Many farmers in the district are facing a similar problems.