Video: Distressed farmer burns four acres of cotton crop in Nagarkurnool
A distressed farmer in Avancha village, Nagarkurnool, set fire to four acres of his cotton crop after realising that harvesting costs outweighed procurement prices. Surender, who cultivated nine acres, was left dejected by unseasonal rains and lack of government support. Farmers across Mahabubnagar have accused authorities of failing them throughout the season.
Nagarkurnool: In a stark reflection of the failure of the State and Central governments to ensure remunerative prices for cotton, a distressed farmer burnt four acres of his crop at Avancha village on Tuesday after realising that harvesting costs would exceed the procurement price offered.
Surender, who cultivated cotton in nine acres, saw four acres partially damaged due to recent unseasonal rains. He attempted to salvage the crop and tried to hire labourers to harvest the remaining cotton. However, the labour charges demanded were far higher than the procurement price, leaving him with no option. Dejected over the lack of State support and the absence of fair pricing, Surender set the crop ablaze.
Farmers across erstwhile Mahabubnagar are angered, accusing the government of abandoning them at every stage of the season. From the shortage of urea to the failure to procure in time, they say they have been pushed into losses despite months of hard work.
25 quintals of cotton set on fire by unidentified persons
In a separate incident, unidentified persons set fire to 25 quintals of harvested cotton at Utkoor mandal in Narayanpet district on Thursday.cott
Mallappa, a local farmer who grew cotton in 10 acres, had stored about 45 quintals of harvested cotton in his field. He planned to hire women workers on Thursday to shift the stocks to the procurement centre. Before the work could begin, unidentified persons arrived at the field, set the stocks on fire and fled.
Mallappa and the workers rushed to extinguish the flames, but by then nearly 25 quintals had been reduced to ashes.
