Farmers protest at Suryapet market over falling paddy prices

Nalgonda: Farmers staged a protest in front of the Agriculture Market in Suryapet on Thursday, demanding the minimum support price (MSP) for their paddy. They alleged that commission agents had lured them to the market by promising prices of over Rs 3,000 per quintal. However, after large quantities of paddy arrived, the agents allegedly formed a syndicate and slashed prices.

Farmers said the price had fallen sharply from Rs 3,400 per quintal in recent days to between Rs 2,000 and Rs 2,300. They alleged that the reduction had cost them around Rs 1,400 per quintal.

Rain has added to their difficulties, with weighing operations suspended for the past three days.

Farmers had brought large quantities of paddy to the Suryapet market, hoping to secure good returns. They alleged that commission agents colluded to push prices down after a large volume of stocks reached the market. Farmers said the gap between the initially promised price and the current offers had caused them heavy losses.

Paddy weighing and procurement have remained stalled for three days due to rain and delays in the weighing process. Farmers who brought their produce to the market several days ago continue to face difficulties as procurement has yet to resume. They fear that keeping their paddy at the market for longer could lead to further losses.

During the protest, they demanded that they be paid the MSP for their paddy. They also called for the original price commitments to be honoured, an end to what they described as syndicate-driven pricing, and the immediate resumption of procurement.

The farmers met Agriculture Market officials and urged them to intervene, restart procurement and ensure that farmers received a fair price for their produce.

Meanwhile, a heavy police presence was deployed at the market following the protest.