Agitating farmers continue stir, vegetable prices shoot up

Our Correspondent

Phagwara, June 4

As the farmers’ protest entered the fourth day, the retail prices of vegetables shot up in the market in Phagwara on Monday.The vegetable prices were found to have risen up by 25-30 per cent

The rates of all vegetables except onion have increased by 30 to 40 per cent after the agitating farmers stopped supplies as part of their nation-wide stir.

Since the vegetable supplie were less to mandi, vegetables like tomatoes, which were available at Rs 10 a kg earlier, are now being sold for Rs 30 to Rs 35 per kg. The rates of potatoes have increased from Rs 10 per kg to Rs 20 to Rs 25 a kg. Lady’s finger is available at Rs 40 to Rs 50 kg, which was being sold at Rs 30 a kg till last week.

The prices of cucumber, peas and bottle gourd have also increased by around 25 per cent.

Several farmers’ organisations have jointly called a 10-day protest across the country demanding remunerative prices for their produce. Traders said fresh supplies of vegetables had dwindled, triggering fears of further price hike in the coming days.

While retailers claimed that the prices had increased due to a shortage of vegetables, the records of the Market Committee present a different picture. The prices have increased despite the fact that the arrivals have also increased.

Agitating farmers burnt effigy of Union Agriculture Minister at Phagwara on Monday. Former Minister Joginder Singh Maan also joined in the stir of farmers.

Possibility of further rise in price

Tomatoes, which were available at Rs 10 a kg earlier, are now being sold for Rs 30 to Rs 35 per kg. The rates of potatoes have increased from Rs 10 per kg to Rs 20 to Rs 25 a kg. Lady finger is available at Rs 40 to Rs 50 kg, which was being sold at Rs 30 a kg till last week. The prices of cucumber, peas and bottle. Fresh supplies of vegetables has dwindled which has further triggered fears of further price hike.