Drastic cut in MSP leaves groundnut farmers fuming

Nagarkurnool: The groundnut farmers in Nagarkurnool district took to roads on Wednesday protesting against the market authorities for drastically reducing the prices of groundnut from existing Rs 4,600 a day before to Rs 3,800-4,000 on Wednesday. Aggrieved over the drastic slash in prices, the farmers led by various farmers associations staged a protest and blocked the Srisailam highway causing heavy traffic jam.

A few days ago, the Nagarkurnool market received 10,000 bags of groundnut and the market authorities had offered a price of Rs 4,600 to Rs 4,800 per quintal. However, on Wednesday, the market yard saw over 50,000 bags, which is the highest flow of groundnut to the market in a single day. As the supply increased, the market authorities in connivance with the traders has drastically decreased the prices to Rs 3,200-4,000 per quintal.

"The government which had earlier offered Rs 4,600 has reduced the prices drastically to Rs 3,200 in just one day. This kind of sudden slash in the prices by the market authorities and the traders is nothing but cheating and exploiting the farmers. We want the government to take note of the issue and come to our rescue and provide the minimum support price to our produce, or else we will intensify our fight," said the agitating farmers.