There are reports of farmers destroying produce at some places on not being able to access markets
Agricultural markets (mandis) have started reopening in many parts of the country a week after the nationwide lockdown was imposed. However, the process has been gradual and operations have been disrupted at some centres. Those mandis that have continued to operate have introduced safety measures for workers, and restrictions on arrivals and supplies to avoid crowding.
However, reports have come from across the country that farmers have dumped their produce after being unable to deliver them to mandis or use them as animal feed. In Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, oilseed supplies have been affected and, hence, oil crushing units have sought permission to buy directly from farmers. In Mumbai, the Vashi vegetable mandi has been functioning but has adopted a system to keep crowds away by instituting different timings for arrivals and dispatches. The grain mandi has reduced crowds by a fifth through a novel strategy of supplying and receiving goods on alternate days.
“At least 15,000 people enter the market yard every day, which is impossible to handle. We, therefore, have decided to limit entry,” Sushil Singatkar, director of Vashi Agricultural Produce Market Committee meeting (APMC). The APMC in Wardha is planning to open trading for foodgrain on Friday. “To maintain social distancing, we are going to book sell orders in lots of 10 farmers at a time and allow 10 buyers to attend the auction,” said Shyam Bhimraoji Karlekar, chairman of Wardha APMC…Read More
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