Farmers Protest Day 2: Mumbai Stares at a Vegetable Crisis

The BJP government in Maharashtra has accused opposition parties of fomenting unrest among farmers.

Ongoing farmer protests across Maharashtra have caused a shortfall in supply of vegetables in Mumbai. (Photo: PTI)

Shortage of vegetables and spike in prices looms over the people of Mumbai as farmers in Maharashtra continue their stir for various demands on a second consecutive day on Friday.

According to sources in Navi Mumbai Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), though milk supply to the state capital largely remained unaffected, the number of vehicles transporting vegetables went down in fear of backlash from farmers.

On Thursday, agitating farmers had tried to disrupt vegetable and milk supply to the metropolis. Some incidents of stopping of vehicles carrying milk and vegetables were reported in Nashik district.

The demands raised by agitating farmers include waiving farm loans and ensuring a guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) for their produce. Farmers in Nashik district are also opposing acquisition of land for the proposed Super Communication Expressway which will connect Mumbai and Nagpur.

Meanwhile, the umbrella group of agitating farmers in Maharashtra today threatened to intensify the stir by ‘locking down’ government offices starting 6 June.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis yesterday had accused the opposition NCP and the Congress of instigating farmers, while expressing willingness to hold talks with the agitators. A committee has been set up to suggest measures to resolve farmers' issues, he had said.

(Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj)