Nizamabad: Turmeric farmers gearing up for self-respect tour from December 16

Armoor: Disappointed over the Central and State governments and BJP leaders, who failed to set up turmeric board and fix minimum support price for the product, the turmeric farmers of Nizamabad district are launching 'self-respect walking tour' from December 16. The tour will start from the fields.

The turmeric farmers alleged that both the governments had cheated them by their false promises and simply forgot them after coming to power with their votes.

Due to lack of support, the prices of turmeric fell drastically, they lamented and said that the traders are paying Rs 4,000 per quintal in the market. The farmers are afraid that the prices may further drop after the new crop comes to the market.

Hence, the farmers decided to launch a campaign demanding minimum support price for turmeric. Meetings and discussions were held for the past one week in the agricultural fields.

Turmeric farmers JAC visited every village in all mandals in Nizamabad constituency and explained the people about their movement for turmeric board and MSP.

The JAC leaders explained the farmers that they are not getting suitable returns after spending Rs 1.50 lakhs per acre for turmeric cultivation and urged them to participate in the movement until the government comes down.

Nizamabad MP Dharmapuri Arvind, who promised to set up turmeric board within a few days, has been keeping up with the committees so far. Intellectuals afraid that the Nizamabad Parliament is more likely to disrupt the peace movement, as only the peasantry are involved in the movement. Farmers are planning to intensify the movement and said they would not approach any politicians as they would intensify the movement to achieve their selfish goals.

The turmeric farmers are demanding a minimum support price of Rs 15,000 per quintal and setting up of turmeric board. Farmer leaders are currently gathering signatures from the farmers demanding a turmeric board.