In Kurnool, a significant movement has been initiated by the AP Rythu Sangam, under the leadership of G Rama Krishna, the district general secretary, advocating for the rights of onion farmers. The collective, which includes farmers, has called upon the government to establish a fair pricing mechanism for onions to protect the cultivators from potential exploitation by traders. A demonstration marked by a road blockade at Sundaraiah Circle emphasized the urgency of their demands.
Kurnool, recognized as the second-largest onion-producing region after Pune, cultivates the crop over 24 2811 hectares. The influx of onions from Pune into the local market has led to a decrease in prices, affecting the local farmers' livelihoods. The protestors have urged the government to halt the purchase of Pune onions to stabilize the market.
Rama Krishna has highlighted the formation of a syndicate by traders as a primary concern, accusing it of undermining the farmers' ability to secure a remunerative price for their produce. The demand extends to the implementation of measures such as the installation of closed-circuit cameras to monitor market activities and ensure transparency.
The demonstration caused significant disruptions, leading to extensive traffic jams around Sundaraiah Circle. The police struggled to manage the congestion as vehicles were backed up for kilometers. The protest saw a large turnout from both the leaders of AP Rythu Sangam and the farming community, signaling a strong collective resolve to press for governmental action within a specified timeframe to address their grievances.
Source: Hans India