Bhongir: Red gram farmers trapped in debts due to stalled payments

Bhongir: Red gram farmers of the district were trapped in debts due to the stalled payments from both Central and State governments, which purchased red gram from them. The government's assurance of crediting the amount in the farmers' accounts within two weeks didn't come into practice even after two months, the farmers alleged. Besides, the present lockdown further tightened the financial problems, they added.

Farmers had cultivated red gram in about 20,400 acres in the district expecting a yield of 1,49,800 quintals. Markfed established procurement centers in Mothkur, Motakondur, Aler, Bhongir and Choutuppal and purchased red gram in March but the payments hadn't done till date.

As per official information, as many as 53,731 quintals of red gram was purchased from 6,052 farmers in the district and Rs 31.16 crores was due to the farmers. Both State and Central governments had jointly purchased the yield. Funds stopped by the Central government, followed by corona lockdown situation in the State hampered the payments to the red gram farmers.

It came to know that Markfed paid Rs 18 crores to red gram farmers in the first phase of procurement and second phase of payment dues of Rs 13 crores are yet to be paid. Red gram farmers, who are waiting for payments, demanded the government to clear their dues on war footing to rescue them from financial crisis.

District Markfed officer Saritha explained that the lockdown has delayed the payments to red gram farmers and assured the farmers not to worry as all their dues will be cleared within a week.