Delay in lifting of red gram worrying farmers

​Adilabad: Encouraged by the state government, many farmers of the district have switched over from cotton to red gram but the minimum support price (MSP) for the red gram plummeted to Rs 5050 a quintal following bumper harvest.

The farmers allege that the market yard officials are not favourably inclined to lift red gram. The farmers raised red gram in an extent of 2 lakh acres in the district attracted to the last year’s MSP of Rs 9000 to Rs 12000 a quintal the commodity fetched.

On account of the omissions and commission made by the market yard officials in remitting money in farmers’ bank accounts, the farmers faced several problems. The Markfed is yet to give clarity on lifting of red gram from market yards.

There are market yards at Adilabad, Boath, Icchoda, Jainath, Indravelli. Against the expectation of farmers bringing 1.20-lakh tonnes of red gram to the Adilabad market, 60,000 tonnes were brought to the market.

The farmers were forced to sell red gram at Rs 4000 a quintal to private traders as lifting of the commodity did not commence yet at Indravelli and Icchoda market yards.

The officials were not sure when the lifting of red gram will commence at the market yards. The farmers have been demanding the officials to ensure that the money is credited into the bank accounts online immediately after the sale of the commodity.

District marketing officer Santosh Kumar allayed fears of farmers over lifting of red grams from market yards stating that the officials will made all arrangements to purchase the commodity from farmers.

Moreover, the Markfed is ready to purchase the commodity. The farmers have been appealing to the marketing officials to launch the lifting operations without causing any problems to the farmers.