Amreli Market Yard Leaves Groundnut Farmers Struggling For Hours Without Basic Facilities
Amreli: The Amreli Market Yard is currently conducting government-supported procurement of groundnuts at minimum support prices, but farmers bringing their produce are facing severe hardships due to the lack of basic amenities. While officials enjoy shaded seating arrangements, farmers are forced to stand for hours under the sun at weighing stations with no relief.
Inadequate Infrastructure at Market Yard
Both soybean and groundnut purchases at the Amreli facility are processed through a single computer system, causing significant delays in billing. This bottleneck forces many farmers to return the next day after being turned away. At the locations where groundnuts are inspected and bagged, there are no provisions for drinking water, restrooms, or shade. Farmers endure prolonged exposure to harsh sunlight, adding to their distress.
Financial Losses from Excess Weight Deductions
Farmers have raised serious allegations about the weighing process, claiming they are suffering direct financial losses due to excessive weight deductions. The government has standardized the weight for 35 kilograms of groundnuts at 767 grams for packaging. However, farmers report that up to 900 grams is being deducted per 35-kilogram sack at the yard. These inflated deductions are resulting in substantial monetary losses for cultivators.
Official Response and Farmer Demands
Acknowledging the concerns, procurement officials have indicated that corrective measures are imminent. An officer overseeing the MSP purchases stated that all necessary arrangements would be implemented within the next two days. The administration has also requested approval from the government for a second ID system, and once permission is granted, an additional computer will be deployed immediately.
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Farmers are demanding urgent action to provide adequate facilities at the market yard, including installation of two computer systems, access to clean drinking water, restroom facilities, and proper shade. They have also called for transparency in the weighing process to prevent financial exploitation. Authorities need to act swiftly to address these issues and provide relief to the farming community.