Distressed farmers have been burning heaps of their chilli crop, upset at the depression in prices that have followed massive overproduction. PRICESLast year, as prices of dry chilli hit Rs 12,000 per quintal, lakhs of farmers in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh sowed the crop hoping for good returns this year. Infuriated chilli farmers went on the rampage, vandalising the offices of the chairman and secretary, and setting furniture on fire. In Guntur, the biggest chilli market, farmers blocked NH 16 and set fire to heaps of the crop, demanding government intervention with a support price. Officials say around 4 lakh farmers in the two states are affected.

Source: Indian Express May 03, 2017 18:45 UTC