FARMERS ARE BEING TAKEN FOR RIDE- FIELD REALITIES  I met a farmer who sent 5 bags (150 kgs) bringal to Tenali municipal market from Kollipara village. In an auction it was sold for Rs 160/10 kgs. The farmer spent about Rs 300/- towards transport from village to mandi, Rs. 60/- hamali , Rs 20/- Asheel( market cess). Rs 100 to 150 is farmer expenditure if he goes to market for monitoring the transaction. Farmer paid Rs. 250/- as commission @10% on the sale consideration of Rs 2500/- . For a sale of Rs 2500/- expenditure is about Rs 750/- and it’s working out to 30%. From sale price of Rs 16/kg, farmer spent about Rs 5/kg as marketing expenditure. As all the expenditure is fixed cost except commission in case of less realizations the marketing cost will become as high as 50%. Even after charging hefty commission of 10% from farmers , the agents try to give advantage to the traders by my managing auctions with eye lid movements etc and exploit the farmers. I was told they op

MEMORIES OF DR KURIEN ON HIS BIRTH ANNIVERSARY  In 1960s, Dr Kurien used the opportunity by importing milk powder and butter oil free of cost (surplus being dumped in sea) and created end to end infrastructure , thereby India became largest milk producer of the world. At present few dairies are importing milk powder at cheaper cost, few others adulterating milk with chemicals and killing our production systems. Once farmers start losing interest in milk production, the imports will become exorbitant and milk may become scarce commodity. Is this the tribute we give to father of white revolution on his birth anniversary? B Guruva Reddy- 9866889246 grbonthu@gmail.com