Karnal, October 17(Press Ki Taquat)
The suspension of basmati purchase by rice exporters, millers and arhtiyas owing to the Centre’s decision to maintain the minimum export price (MEP) at $1,200 per tonne have hit farmers badly. It has reduced the price of basmati 1509 by Rs 500-600 per quintal in various grain markets of the state. Farmers are forced to sell their produce at the will of traders, who are purchasing this variety by ignoring the suspension of purchase.
Naresh Kumar, a farmer, said, “The involvement of exporters in the procurement always gives good prices to 1509 variety-growing farmers, but due to the strike, the prices have come down drastically. The government should resolve the issue at the earliest.” Mahabir, a farmer from Kurukshetra district, said due to this strike, farmers had been losing around Rs 15,000-17,000 per quintal.
