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Price slump hits tapioca farmers
The slump in the price of tapioca has affected many farmers cultivating the tuber crop in Virava and Viravada villages of the mandal.
Pithapuram (East Godavari): The slump in the price of tapioca has affected many farmers cultivating the tuber crop in Virava and Viravada villages of the mandal.
Tapioca is being cultivated in about 500 acres in the two villages. Some farmers of the mandal raised the crop at Yeleswaram, Rangampeta, Kirlampudi and other villages by taking land on lease.
They reaped a good harvest this year and were hopeful of making good profits but their hopes were quashed with crash in price of tapioca. Tapioca which fetched a handsome price of Rs 1.5 lakh per 10 tonnes last year is being traded at Rs 50,000. The price slump caused heavy losses to farmers.
Tapioca is exported to neighbouring Odisha, where its consumption as a vegetable is high. The tapioca exports from East Godavari were also hit, which might the reason for the drastic fall in its prices.
Narrating his woes a tapioca farmer said, “The tuber cultivation needs an average investment of Rs 50,000 per acre. We spent about Rs 10,000 on procurement of the seed itself.
The prices of tapioca have touched an all-time low for the first time in the past three decades. Most of the farmers, who raised the crop by borrowing money, have been affected with the price slump.”
The prices of taro root, which is raised as an inter-crop in the region, are also not bullish, compounding the woes of tapioca farmers.
The crop yield is not good and its quality is poor. Consequently, there are no traders to buy taro root even at Rs 2 a kg.
Another tapioca farmer said, “
All our hopes are dashed with the slump in the prices of the tuber. We are left with no alternative to clear our debts. the State Government should come to our rescue.’’
By:Saride Nageswara Rao
