April 15, 2020
An Aerial view of the closed APMC wholesale vegetable and fruit market at Vashi in Navi Mumbai
The majority of Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMC) closed the wholesale market amid the lockdown. The farmers of Maharashtra in miserable state are dumping vegetables and fruits in garbage bins as no transport are available.
Though the State govt had declared that the lockdown would not affect the transport and trade of agricultural and other essential commodities, the unprecedented shutdown of APMCs in Mumbai, Pune and other cities has left farmers in the lurch giving them no option but to throw away their produce in trash bins.
In south of Maharashtra, farmers dumped their crop in trash bins as they could not transport the harvest to Mumbai and Pune APMCs. Dismayed over the wastage and losses incurred, Farmers’ organizations have demanded the State government to find out a moderate route to start APMC operations and also facilitate the selling of farmers’ goods in cities on urgent basis. If the State government is unable to take decisions and not in position to open APMC markets, then different state agencies should buy fruits and vegetables from peasants and supply them to the city markets, they added.
The Farmer’s Organization has also insisted that the State must evaluate the loss incurred by farmers and recompense them likewise.
Mumbai and Pune get the supplies of their vegetable, fruits and milk supplies from western part of Maharashtra. However, the lockdown has brought the transport system at a standstill position; added to that the closure of APMCs, the entire supply chain has terribly collapsed.
State Cooperative and Marketing Minister Balasaheb Patil expressed the concerned that the APMCs were asked to stop functions due to rapid spread of Covid-19 cases in urban areas. However, he added, the State has permitted farmers and traders to coordinate and continue with the supply of agro-produce. Patil also assured that towns and cities will not face any shortage of vegetables and fruits.
Shetkari Sanghatana President Anil Ghanwat wants assurance that police must not ill-treat and beat farmers heading towards cities to sell their produce. Many small farmers are bringing vegetables and fruits to sell directly in housing societies and complexes, hence police must cooperate with them and treat humanly.
Meanwhile, the pressure is mounting on Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to broadcast tangible measures related to the agriculture sector. Thackeray continuously is holding a series of meetings with his cabinet ministers, advisors and bureaucrats. To be on safer side he has announced the extension of the lockdown until 30th April. Thackeray is likely to spell out the steps that his government will take to lessen the impact of lockdown.