Kisan Sabha demands relief for cauliflower growers

Tribune News Service

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Shimla, May 16

Himachal Kisan Sabha and state arhtiya association have urged the government to lend a helping hand to cauliflower growers who have been receiving prices as low as Rs 3 to 5 per kg for their produce.

The Kisan Sabha has demanded immediate intervention of the government in fixing minimum support price for cauliflower and other vegetables like cabbage, French beans and tomatoes that will hit the market soon.

“The per kg cost of production of cauliflower is around Rs 12 and the farmers are getting a paltry Rs 2-5 per kg. Farmers are in a lot of distress and need immediate help,” said the Kisan Sabha.

NS Chaudhary, state arhtiya association president, has suggested that the government pay at least Rs 4 per kg over and above the price the farmer gets for his produce in the APMC mandis. “It would not put much burden on the government also as the rate would go up in the next few weeks with the season in the plains coming to an end,” said Chaudhary.

“This additional payment could be made by the arhtiyas and it could later be adjusted in market fee paid by the arhtiyas,” Chaudhary said.

Meanwhile, the Kisan Sabha said the government should also make some alternative arrangements for marketing the farmers’ produce.

“Factoring in the local consumption, the Agriculture Department, Marketing Board and the APMC could collaborate to create a market in more than 50 urban local bodies in the Himachal Pradesh.