MP not the only state battling falling crop prices, rates crashing across country

The prices of paddy, potato, red chilli and pulses among other crops have tumbled across states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal

The farmers’ protest in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh (MP) signifies the flip side of a bumper crop.

Farmers throw onions and other vegetables on the road during their protest in Shajapur on Thursday. (PTI Photo)

But Madhya Pradesh is not the only state battling falling prices of farm products. Here is a low down in what is happening in different states.

West Bengal: Paddy and Potato

The wholesale price of paddy and potato are badly affected.

While the government has announced the minimum price for the crops, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee blamed demonetisation, along with bumper potato production, for the price crash. Veteran peasant leader and CPI (M) politburo member, Hannan Mollah said the wholesale price of paddy is hovering between Rs 1,100 and Rs 1,300 per quintal as against the MSP of Rs 1,610 per quintal.

Karnataka: Tur

In Karnataka, Tur dal is the worst hit. “Area under Tur cultivation has increased because farmers wanted to cash in on the rise in prices of pulses. This has led to a glut in the state,” said Prakash Kammaradi, chairman of the Karnataka Agricultural Prices Commission.

Prices of red chilli have plunged across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Red chilli now sells at Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 per quintal, down from Rs 12,000 a quintal.

Uttar Pradesh: Arhar dal

The bumper Rabi crop in UP has led to fall in prices of commodities. “Arhar (yellow dal) that sold for Rs 65 per kg is now Rs 60 per kg.,” said Alok Bansal, a grain wholesaler.

Haryana: Sunflower

Prices of pulses and vegetables have crashed and are being sold at lower than the MSP.

“As against MSP of Rs 3,950 per quintal, sunflower is being sold at about ₹2,800” said Rakesh Bains, BKU spokesperson.

Bihar: Moong Dal

In Bihar, “Against MSP of Rs 5,200 for moong dal, farmers were selling it for ₹4,000 per quintal,” said secretary of the Patna division of the Bihar Rajya Khadyan Vyavsayi Sangh, Brajesh Kumar.

(With inputs from HT Correspondents in Kolkata, Chandigarh, Patna, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Lucknow)