Hyderabad: Soybean farmers intensified their protest in Adilabad district on Tuesday, demanding immediate procurement of their crop and accusing the government of neglect amidst soybean farmers protest activities.
Farmers gathered at the Adilabad market yard and staged a sit-in at the main gate. They blocked cotton vehicles from entering the yard. As a result, cotton procurement came to a halt.
Farmers flag rejection of procured soybean
Earlier, farmers staged a symbolic protest at the Bela market yard by sitting on their knees. They said they waited nearly 15 days to sell their soybean crop. After prolonged delay, Markfed officials finally procured limited quantities.
However, officials later shifted the produce to NAFED-linked godowns, where authorities rejected it. Following this, protesting soybean farmers brought the crop back to their villages.
The agitating farmers alleged that the government was making only token purchases. They said officials were harassing them in the name of quality rules. Farmers added that repeated protests failed to draw a response from both the Centre and the State.
They warned that continued delay would force them to sell soybean to private traders at low prices. Many farmers said they had already made distress sales to arrange funds for the upcoming Rabi season.