The Hindu Business Line : AP to procure turmeric at market rates

Hyderabad March 14 With turmeric farmers demanding remunerative prices for their produce in the last few weeks, the Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to intervene and procure turmeric at commercial rates beginning Monday.

The move is likely to trigger an upward movement of prices, giving confidence to farmers, who are a worried lot as there was no minimum support price.

To begin with, the Andhra Pradesh Markfed will set up procurement counters at the Nizamabad market, one of the biggest turmeric markets. It accounted for over one-third of the country's total turmeric production with 15 lakh bags (each bag weighs 70 kg).

Andhra Pradesh accounted for more than half (26 lakh bags) of the country's total production of 49.75 lakh bags every year. Currently, farmers are getting Rs 1,600-2,300 a quintal, depending on the quality.

`FULLY PREPARED'

"We are ready to procure any quantity of turmeric this season. The move will deter traders from fixing the rates arbitrarily," said Mr Ponnam Prabhakar, Chairman of the Federation.

Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, he said the federation's board had taken this decision at its meeting earlier in the day. The federation would later consider opening procurement cells at Duggirala and Kadapa, the other two markets in the State.

The federation, which registered a turnover of Rs 540 crore in 2005-06, targeted to achieve Rs 670 crore this financial year and Rs 1,000 crore by 2008-09.

Meanwhile, the federation had announced that the year-long golden jubilee celebrations would begin on March 23. The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, would inaugurate the fete.

More Stories on : Spices & Condiments | Agricultural Policy | Andhra Pradesh

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