DCC President Nagesh Reddy Questions MP Arvind Over Turmeric Board Claims
Addressing reporters at the Congress office, Nagesh Reddy said farmers continue to protest despite the formation of the board, questioning its effectiveness.
NIZAMABAD: Nizamabad District Congress Committee president and former market yard chairman K. Nagesh Reddy on Thursday criticised BJP MP Dharmapuri Arvind, stating that he should take responsibility for resolving issues faced by turmeric farmers instead of claiming credit for the establishment of the Turmeric Board.
Addressing reporters at the Congress office, Nagesh Reddy said farmers continue to protest despite the formation of the board, questioning its effectiveness. He said that only a Minimum Support Price (MSP) announcement would truly benefit turmeric growers and urged the MP to raise the issue at the central level.
Recalling his tenure as market committee chairman from 2004 to 2014, he said several operational challenges in the agriculture market yard were addressed during that period. He said online trading was introduced in 2014 in the undivided state to enable wider participation in procurement, though it initially created apprehensions among farmers.
He said the Central government introduced the “Point Zero” online system in 2016, which initially faced technical issues that took nearly two years to resolve. He noted that Nizamabad remains one of the largest turmeric markets in the country, with arrivals of nearly 10 lakh quintals annually, competing with markets such as Sangli and Erode.
Nagesh Reddy said that while Sangli handles lower volumes, Nizamabad records significantly higher daily arrivals during the season. He said price discovery mechanisms differ between the markets, with grading-based pricing in Nizamabad contributing to competitive rates.
He alleged that recent changes in the online trading system have excluded the Nizamabad market, describing it as a conspiracy. He questioned why the market was not included despite the presence of a Turmeric Board.
He also urged the Centre to restore inclusion of Nizamabad in the updated system and ensure farmers receive better prices. He criticised earlier farm laws and warned that trade agreements impacting agricultural imports could affect domestic farmers.
