"A farmer is hit on both sides," Jhinja said, referring to low crop prices and higher prices for goods he needs to buy. "You are not ready to pay more to farmers because that is bad economics," said Malik. Some farmers say their produce can go through at least four intermediaries before reaching customers.Malik says he sold rice for Rs 16 a kilogram to a middle man. In a market 10 minutes away, it retails for three times as much. "But no one complains when hefty pay increases are given to government employees.

Source: Economic Times July 21, 2016 14:26 UTC