Cocoa farmers stared at the AP crisis as Plummets’ prices

The government must set a minimum support price of 900 GBP per kg and intervene to protect farmers from falling prey for manipulation with companies, says Rythha leader Sangham K. Srinivas | Photo Credit: File Photos

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Cocoa farmers in the state start in a crisis after a sharp drop in price. While international prices are rising, prices on the domestic market have shown a negative trend and kg cocoa is quoted in approximately 500 ₹ per kg, which is much under what it brought last year.

Farmers who are about last year’s experience hoped to also load at least 1,000 ₹ for kg this year. However, prices were originally around 600 GBP per kg and then began to slide, a lot to the fears of farmers. Now they are afraid of further price drop, unless the government does not interfere.

Simhadri Satyanarayana, a cocoa farmer from Challa Chintalapudi in Dendulur Mandal in the Eluru district, remembers that they sold their production anywhere between 800 and 1,000 GBP for kg last year. “International prizes are now at 750 GBP per kg. However, there are no buyers with farmers. Farmers are already winding losses this year due to pest attacks and low yields. On average, four to five meters of care have been produced in the orchard for at least eight years. This year, however, the yield decreased to two and a half five to an acre. The falling prices further deteriorated the situation, ”Mr. Simhadri laments.

Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham State Secretary K. Srinivas says that companies of public procurement for cocoa use farmers by offering lower prices. “The current price paid by public procurement companies is deep below the market rate and the government closes eyes. We require the government to determine the minimum support price of 900 GBP per kg and hit to protect the farmers from the fall of the victims to manipulate businesses, ”he says.

Old supply

The gardening officer in Elur S. Ramhan says that farmers who have stored old cocoa beans during the season were recommended not to mix them with the beans of the new season. “Mixing old and new beans has been quoted as a reason for the unwillingness of companies to make purchases. Companies are currently buying a new season of cocoa beans (since January) for the price of 600 GBP per kg. Farmers are recommended to store old and new cocoa beans separately. Once it is done, companies are ready to continue purchases, ”he informs.

Cocoa farmers, mostly from the former West Godavari district, are said to keep their shares and hope that during the top season from November to June they hope to be better prices.

Increasing costs

On the other hand, increasing initial costs, including fertilizers and work fees, have become constant fears for farmers. “Coca is usually grown by tenants farmers. Last year, a record price of 1,040 GBP per kg was reached. This led to a sharp increase in rental amounts. Soil owners require 50,000 to 1.5 ₹ Lakh. It’s another burden, ”says Mr. Srinivas.

In Andhra Pradesh, cocoa is grown in 75,000 acres, with the Eluru district representing 35,000 hectares, East Godavari for 15,000 acres, West Godavari for 10,000 acres of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Sricakulam.