Farmers from several villages across Maharashtra will be on an indefinite strike from June 1. If the strike continues beyond two - three days, the supply of milk, vegetables and fruits is likely to be affected in Mumbai and other parts of the state, said the traders from the agricultural produce market committees (APMC).
The stocks of these perishable items will last for three - four days. If the strike continues, there could be a problem, said an official from the marketing department. Officials fear a rise in prices of these items due to the strike and shortage created due to it.
Farmers from villages in Pune, Nashik, Junnar, Satara and Kolhapur have decided to stop taking their produce to the APMC markets from Thursday. They will also not go to their farms to prepare for the upcoming Kharif season. Since the farmers don't belong to a single organization, it is hard to tell a definite number of the striking villages, " said an official from the state government.
APMC markets in Pune and Nashik will be shut on Thursday as they are not expecting farmers to come to the markets. "All markets yards in Nashik will be shut tomorrow including Lasalgaon as no farmer is expected to come to sell their produce, " said Jaydutt Holkar, chairman of the Lasalgaon APMC. Mumbai APMC will be open as the stocks for tomorrow will reach in the night at Vashi.
Farmers from Nashik will not even send their produce to neighbouring Gujarat. Close to 60 - 70% perishable produce like vegetables and fruits and milk is consumed in the state itself. The strike is being supported by farmers from more than 2000 villages in the state.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis met the delegation of the farmers who are leading this strike on Tuesday. However, after a three - hour - long meeting, the farmers were still not convinced and decided to go ahead with the strike.
Source: NDTV News