NIZAMABAD: Turmeric farmers in Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency attracted the attention of the entire country by entering the fray to protest the government's inaction in ensuring them remunerative prices for their produce.
However, after the elections, turmeric prices fell further in Nizamabad market.
The minimum price per quintal is now between Rs 4,000 to and 4,010.
During the past week, arrival of turmeric in the market has increased. Both bulb and finger varieties of turmeric are arriving between 25,000 quintals and 15,000 quintals every day in Nizamabad market. While the highest price paid for the finger variety on April 12 was Rs 7,021 per quintal, the model price was fixed at Rs 5,590 to Rs 6,050 per quintal.
Farmers from Armoor, Bheemgal, Morthad, Kammarpally, Jakranpally, Balkonda and Nandipet brought the produce to the Nizamabad market yard for sale. The private traders are offering very low price because of high supply. On the pretext of national-level market trend, traders decreased the price. The farmers are demanding at least Rs 10,000 per quintal of turmeric, but in vain.
A section of farmers are now planning to continue their protests by contesting in Lok Sabha elections. Talks are going around about filing nominations at Varanasi and Wayanad Lok Sabha constituencies, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi are contesting. Sources said farmer leaders would conduct a meeting in this connection on April 21.
