The ongoing farmers’ strike has turned out to be huge boon for middlemen and agents who are earning lumpsum money by selling agricultural produce to vendors. Middlemen play a crucial role in transporting vegetables from agriculture produce market but at the same time make profits by quoting higher rates during strike. On the other hand, farmers don’t get fair price for agricultural produce. As a result of the strike the common man suffers the most as he has to shell out more money from his wallet to purchase essential commodities like vegetables, foodgrains and milk. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had called a meeting to address the grievances of farmers. He has announced that the state will spend Rs 30,000 crores to waive off farm loans with effect from 31st October.
Vegetable prices had surged due to the farmers strike. Since very few trucks were arriving in the city hence there was scarcity of vegetables and fruits. Prices of several vegetables had tripled due to scarcity of stocks.
Avinash Singh a Kandivali resident said, “When I had gone to market for purchasing vegetables I was shocked to learn that they have become expensive. The common man has to bear the brunt of the strike due to hike in vegetable prices.”
Supreet Shah a housewife from Borivali said, “We have to pay more for buying vegetables and other essential commodities. Only middlemen tend to benefit from farmers strike as they overcharge vendors by quoting higher rates.”
Sanjeev Joshi a Borivali resident said, “I agree that farmers are facing hardships due to rising debt and crop failure but they should not hold people at ransom. Middlemen take advantage of the situation as prices shoot up and people have to spend more money from their pocket to buy vegetables.”
Jagdish Pandey a vegetable vendor said, “Middlemen are overcharging for selling agricultural produce to us. We, vegetable vendors have to incur losses as customers don’t buy vegetables if prices increase. They wait for prices to fall and by that time our vegetable stock will start perishing.”
“The vegetable and milk supply has to be smooth as its lower availability will have double impact, the farmers who could not send their produce will incur losses, while the artificial increase in vegetables prices will affect the consumers,” a senior state government official said.
Anand Bhoir a marketing executive employed with a private firm in Andheri said, “I often buy vegetables while returning home. But yesterday I was surprised to notice that price of vegetables have increased. The government must come forward and have a dialogue with farmers to sort out their grievances. Since farmers are the backbone of our country they must get better price for their produce. Today only middlemen tend to make profits by taking advantage of the prevailing situation which must be stopped. The government must take action against hoarders.”
The state authorities are trying to provide more protection to the vegetable and milk suppliers, who are bringing the produce to Mumbai from neighbouring districts.
