India: Potato growers urge government to waive loans
“Due to demonetisation, we have suffered the loss of two consecutive crops. There are no buyers of potatoes in any state,” said Jaswinder Singh Sangha, general secretary of the association.
“If the situation does not get rectified within a week, we will be left with no other option than to intensify our agitation against demonetisation,” he added.
President of the association Raghbir Singh said, “Potato seed production is an expensive activity and the farmers in Punjab have raised massive loans from banks owing to the heavy investment required to produce quality seeds, but are suffering from heavy loss.”
Many of the members present had pre-arranged buyers for their crops but due to the financial troubles, caused by the demonetisation, they were unable to keep their end of the bargain.
“It will be difficult for the potato growers to afford the loss of a second consecutive crop in a year,” Sangha said.
source: financialexpress.com
