Vijayawada: Chilli farmers are reeling under distress ahead of the peak season as prices for various chilli varieties have dropped sharply in the recent weeks.
According to the authorities, the chilli prices are hovering around Rs 10,000 per quintal, which is almost 50 percent less when compared to last year.
Sensing trouble, Narasaraopet MP and TDP leader Lavu Srikrishnadevarayalu took the issue to the notice of chief minister Chandrababu Naidu last week. He requested the chief minister to direct the agriculture marketing department to buy stocks under the market intervention scheme to prevent further fall in prices. He said that the chilli farmers would face huge losses if the price fall is not averted. “Average price fall is around Rs 5,000 per quintal even for top quality varieties including Bydigi, Teja and Guntur Sannam and farmers are expected to incur a loss of upto Rs 60,000 per acre due to fall in prices,” said Srikrishnadevarayalu.
The prices started plummeting last month and witnessed a huge fall last week as new stock started arriving at the market yard. This year, a large number of farmers opted for chilli cultivation in a big way as stocks fetched bumper profits to farmers in the last 3 to 4 years. While good quality dry chilli was sold for anywhere between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000 per quintal last month, traders picked up even the inferior quality stock for around Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 per quintal due to high demand in the global markets.
However, the export markets suddenly changed due to unrest in several countries and the new political regime in Bangladesh is believed to have played spoil sport as it is not accepting imports through automatic route. “Bangladesh is one of the biggest importers of Indian red chilli. Similar situation prevails in Sri Lanka as the island nation has cut down imports from India. Poor orders from big importers has dampened the retail markets,” said Ch Venkateswara Rao, a leading chilli exporter.
Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu immediately asked the officials to look into the issue and take appropriate measures to provide relief to farmers. Agriculture marketing department commissioner Vijaya Suneetha reviewed the situation with senior officials and asked field officials to ensure that there is no further fall in the prices.
