One lakh bags of chilli arrives at Khammam market, farmers at the mercy of traders

The traders allegedly colluded to form a syndicate to manipulate market prices. While chilli commanded a price of Rs 21,000 per quintal last year, it was offered a maximum of Rs 14,000 per quintal in Jenda Pata.

Khammam: With the arrival of huge quantities of chilli to Khammam agriculture market district the farmers were being exploited by traders.

The traders allegedly formed into a syndicate in a bid to control the price in the market. Chilli, which fetched a rate of Rs 21, 000 per quintal last year, was offered a maximum price Rs 14, 000 per quintal in jenda pata.

---

After two days of holidays, nearly one lakh bags of chilli was said to have been brought to the market by the farmers from Khammam, Kothagudem, Mahabubabad, Suryapet as well as Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh.

Telangana Rythu Sangham president B Hemanth Rao alleged that only a few traders have been attending the jenda pata after opening of the market. Many of the traders were staying away from the price bidding so that the price offered to the produce would be lower.

A few days ago, jenda pata price was fixed at Rs 13, 000 for the produce after the farmers and CPI cadres staged protest in the market the price was fixed at Rs 14, 200 per quintal. How could the bid price change within an hour, he questioned adding that it shows how the farmers were being exploited by the traders.

The officials, who were supposed to protect the interests of the farmers by ensuring a profitable price, were acting at the behest of the traders harming the farmers’ interests. The State and Central governments failed to ensure support price to chilli farmers, Hemanth Rao noted.