Khammam: Farmers protest over fall in chilli prices

Khammam: Tension prevailed for some time at Chilli Market Yard when hundreds of farmers staged a dharna here on Thursday in front the office of the market committee chairman over steep fall of chilli prices from Rs 16,500 to Rs 13,000. They have locked up market yard gates and raised slogans against the State government seeking remunerative price.

According to information, the auction price of chilli was Rs 16,500 per quintal on Wednesday but on Thursday, price was fixed at Rs 13,000 per quintal. As the situation was going out of hand, police personnel have reached the spot. Heated argument broke between farmers and police when latter tried to prevent them from carrying out protest.

Farmer N V Rao said that chilli price was Rs 22,000 per quintal 10 days ago, but the traders have been reducing price as per pre-plan. Another farmer K Rama Rao said, "we have invested Rs 1 lakh for an acre cultivation of chilli.

The production of chilli fell drastically due to natural calamities. Traders are looting the farmers in the market." Market Committee Chairman M Venkata Ramana held discussions with traders and fixed chilli auction price at Rs 15,000 per quintal. Later, the farmers called off stir. On Thursday, about 22,000 chilli bags have reached market yard here from all over the district.