Arhtiyas and wholesalers seem to be making a killing during the ongoing lockdown, raking in 10 times the amount farmers are receiving for their produce in vegetable markets across the region.
While tomato and bottle gourd are fetching farmers prices as low as Rs 2 a kg, the same are being sold for Rs 20 per kg to consumers. Similarly, ridged gourd, lady’s finger, pumpkin and cucumber are available to consumers at five to 10 times the rates.
Farmers say they are being offered prices set by arhtiyas as bidding for the produce is suspended. “We are asked to leave the market soon after unloading the produce. In the absence of bidding, we are unable to get competitive prices,” says Rakesh Kumar, a farmer of Raipur village, near Hisar.
This news has not been edited by Apni Kheti staff but has been published by various news feeds
Source: The Tribune
