Vijayawada: Farmers in the combined Krishna district are facing significant financial distress as the price of black gram has plummeted, despite abundant yield in this year’s rabi season.
With cultivation spread across 3.50 lakh acres, the total yield is expected to be 11,24,761 quintal. However, market prices have dropped drastically, leaving farmers struggling to recover their investment.
It may be noted that the agricultural season was disrupted when heavy rains in early Sept caused floods in Budameru. Rice paddies were submerged in floodwater for several days. As a result, farmers had to replant the crop, thus delaying the harvest cycle by nearly a month. This delay impacted the growth cycle of black gram, which was sown in waterlogged fields. Hence, the overall productivity was reduced.
Farmers spent 25,000 to 30,000 per acre on cultivation, including costs for pesticides, irrigation, and harvesting. Rise in spread of yellow mosaic, leaf spot, and gray pests forced farmers to repeatedly spray costly insecticides, further escalating the expenses. Pesticide company agents inspected fields and recommended frequent chemical applications. This added to the farmers’ financial strain.
In the previous season, black gram was sold at 9,100 per quintal. However, this year, traders are offering only 7,200 per quintal. This is significantly below govt’s minimum support price (MSP) of 7,400. Farmers are disappointed as local traders in Tenali and Guntur are buying at rates lower than the MSP, citing quality concerns.
Tenant farmers, who pay land rent based on the kharif paddy yield and rabi black gram yield, are struggling to make ends meet.
With cultivation spread across 3.50 lakh acres, the total yield is expected to be 11,24,761 quintal. However, market prices have dropped drastically, leaving farmers struggling to recover their investment.
It may be noted that the agricultural season was disrupted when heavy rains in early Sept caused floods in Budameru. Rice paddies were submerged in floodwater for several days. As a result, farmers had to replant the crop, thus delaying the harvest cycle by nearly a month. This delay impacted the growth cycle of black gram, which was sown in waterlogged fields. Hence, the overall productivity was reduced.
Farmers spent 25,000 to 30,000 per acre on cultivation, including costs for pesticides, irrigation, and harvesting. Rise in spread of yellow mosaic, leaf spot, and gray pests forced farmers to repeatedly spray costly insecticides, further escalating the expenses. Pesticide company agents inspected fields and recommended frequent chemical applications. This added to the farmers’ financial strain.
In the previous season, black gram was sold at 9,100 per quintal. However, this year, traders are offering only 7,200 per quintal. This is significantly below govt’s minimum support price (MSP) of 7,400. Farmers are disappointed as local traders in Tenali and Guntur are buying at rates lower than the MSP, citing quality concerns.
Tenant farmers, who pay land rent based on the kharif paddy yield and rabi black gram yield, are struggling to make ends meet.
