Farmers in distress as vegetable market remains closed in Bailahongal

TNN | May 6, 2020, 04:06 IST

Belagavi: The government’s decision not to open the vegetable market yard in Bailahongal has left growers in distress.
On Tuesday, farmers arrived at the market yard with truckloads of fruits and vegetables, only to see the market closed and guarded by police.
Hundreds of farmers in the region have harvested several horticulture corps and are desperately seeking ways to sell their produce. Mango growers are especially hit as they are not able to connect with the buyers of the seasonal fruit and their dreams of a bumper sale have been shattered.
Ramesh Kuri, a farmer, told TOI: “The government had stated that all arrangements would be made to ensure hassle-free supply chain and marketing of agricultural produce. It must allow markets to function properly and farmers are ready to work adhering to social distancing,” he said.
He further said that farmers were already beleaguered as supply was broken due to the lockdown. Disallowing the market to function will worsen the farmers’ plight,” he said. The designated market located right opposite the town municipal building was shifted to the space near the Ganesha Temple owing to lockdown. But now trade is banned even in the relocated market, he alleged.
Another farmer Mallappa Naik, who has cultivated mango, sapota, banana and chikku said, “We have no buyers at all. Lack of assistance by the local body is adding to our woes. If this indifference by the government continues, farmers will have to dump their produce in the market to rot,”
Bailahongal tahslidar Doddappa Hugar said that alternative arrangement have already been made for farmers to sell their produce. On a street in the town boxes have been drawn to maintain social distance and farmers can resume business there. There is clear direction from the deputy commissioner not to reopen the vegetable market, he said.