Mango farmers are not getting enough labour, transportation facilities and consumers during the lockdown.
Abhinav Kumar
Bihar: Inspite of the government order to lift the ban on movement of farm workers in Bihar, mango farmers continue to suffer as the movement of people and trucks has stopped and caused shortage of labourers and vehicle, due to the extension of the lockdown till May 3,2020.
Durgesh Shah, owner of a mango farm in Samastipur said, “ This lock down has cost me a lot as I am not able to get the mangoes packed to sell them in the market because no worker is ready to work in the farm after the virus outbreak.” He added that the lack of transportation facilities and proper market distribution system were also contributing to his business losses.
Vishal Singh, another owner of a mango farm said, “I know it’s a tough time for a mango farmer like us in the present situation as no steps have been taken by state government to provide us with transportation facility.”
Chottu Yadav a farm worker said, “We all are ready to work at the farm but our daily wages are very less, and I do not have money to buy food for my family.”
Sanjay Singh, a mango wholesaler in Bhagalpur said, “The main problem is transportation of fruits. Also when the mangoes come to the wholesaler and the distributer from the farms,people are not coming out to purchase fruits. They are only looking for basic essential services and items.”
Karnataka government has taken a necessary step for mango farmers. People can order fruits online through karsirimangoes.karnataka.gov.in and the mangoes will be delivered within 48 hours by a postman in areas like Ramanagara, Chikkaballapur and Kolar districts.
Krishna Kant Jha, District Agriculture official said, “The Government is taking all necessary steps to resume the movement of trucks.”
Dr. Rewti Raman Singh Dean of Bihar Agriculture University Bhagalpur said, “Farm labourers should get their daily wages as per the government guidelines and the government should fill the gap between the distributers and farmers by ensuring a proper arrangement of supply chain management in the city.”
