Cultivation of maize leaves farmers in lurch in Srikakulam

Srikakulam: Farmers are unhappy over the cultivation of maize crop during kharif season in the district as they are unable to get minimum support price (MSP) for the produce. Due to failure of government in providing reasonable price, middlemen and traders are exploiting the farmers.

In 2016 kharif season, maize crop was cultivated in an extent of 12,500 acres across the district and in 2017, the cultivation area was enhanced to 57,000 acres and this year, it reached 70,000 acres.

With encouragement by Collector K Dhanunjaya Reddy and agriculture department for diversification crops by providing 50 per cent subsidy on seed crop, the cultivated area was further expanded. But after harvesting, the farmers are unable to get good price and they are requesting the officials to regulate market prices.

The price of quintal maize was Rs 1,400 during last year, but it was fell to Rs 1,200 this year. Government is yet to declare MSP for maize produce and it is only providing Rs 200 as incentive per quintal. This incentive is also confined to Rs 6,000 it means one farmer will get the amount only up to 30 quintals. If the farmer gets more than the limited yield he is not eligible for incentive.

“For cultivation of maize crop in one acre, Rs 20,000 investment is required. The yield will be 24 quintals if climatic conditions are favourable” farmers M Gouru Naidu and S Papa Rao of Rapaka and VR Gudem village in Ponduru mandal said. “With the present prevailing prices for maize, we are unable to get even Rs 8,000 profit on one acre,” said K Dhilli Rao, a farmer from Ibraheembad village of Etcherla mandal.