Red chilli farmers blocked traffic on Tuesday for a few hours on the Guntur-Chilakaluripeta Road in protest against the crash in prices of the commodity, and against the alleged inaction of the State government. Guntur is the country’s largest chilli market.
Farmers said prices had crashed to below ₹5,000 per quintal for most varieties of red chilli, against ₹12,000-14,000 last year.
One of the reasons for the price crash is said to be lack of export demand, as the crop has been good in Pakistan and Bangladesh also this year.
The farmers are seeking purchase of chill at ₹10,000 per quintal by the AP State Markfed (Marketing Federation). A few days ago, State Agriculture Minister P Pulla Rao had promised market intervention, but no action had been taken, they alleged.