Famer Give Away 4 Tons of Mangoes for Free, Protests Against Suppressed Prices by Traders

In a unique demonstration of frustration, a mango farmer in Nuziveedu, Eluru District, took a stand against alleged cartelization by local merchants, causing a decline in mango prices. Bekkam Rajagopal, a farmer from Kotha Edara village, distributed four tonnes of Banganapalle mangoes free of cost to the public, symbolizing the grievances faced by farmers in the region.

Rajagopal and fellow farmers claim that local traders are intentionally suppressing mango prices, buying the produce at an unreasonably low rate of around Rs 4,000 per tonne. This price is significantly below the expected Rs 12,000 per tonne, which would allow farmers to cover their cultivation costs and generate a modest profit. The farmers allege that the traders then resell the mangoes to merchants from other regions at much higher prices, exacerbating their financial struggles.

Expressing concern over the prevailing cartelization within the mango trade at the local level, Rajagopal personally loaded a tractor with Banganapalle mangoes and transported them from the Nuzvid sub-collector office to the China Gandhi Bomma Centre. Disappointed by the traders' valuation of the mangoes at a mere Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 per tonne, Rajagopal decided to distribute the fruit to the public, free of charge.

Rajagopal, who cultivates mangoes on a four-acre farm, has invested significant resources in protecting the crop from pests and adverse weather conditions. However, recent gales and heavy rainfall have resulted in reduced sizes for some mango varieties. Frustrated by the lack of proper prices, Rajagopal even resorted to burying Nuziveedu Rasalu mangoes, an action undertaken to protest against unfavourable market conditions. He emphasized that the demand for Banganapalli mangoes remains strong, but traders are refusing to offer even a break-even price.

Calling on the government and the horticulture department for intervention, Rajagopal demanded that minimum guaranteed prices be established for mangoes. Social activist Allank Sureshbabu, who supported the farmer's protest, accused the mango traders of exploiting farmers and urged the government to step in by purchasing mangoes at a minimum price of Rs 12,000 per tonne.

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The plight of Nuziveedu's mango farmers underscores the challenges faced by agricultural communities across the region. As the farmers continue to grapple with low prices and alleged cartelization, they hope that their novel protest will attract the attention of authorities and prompt corrective measures to safeguard their livelihoods.

Source-Deccan Chronicle

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