Dahanu: Chikoo farmers’ protest remains peaceful and brief

Chikoo farmers held a brief silent protest at Tarpa Chowk, Dahanu, on Monday. Pic/Hanif Patel

Close to 300 chikoo farmers descended on the streets of Dahanu on Monday, to voice their dissent against the steep hike in crop insurance premium. They gathered at the prominent Tarpa Chowk, wearing face masks and maintaining a safe physical distance in view of Covid-19, and formed a human chain to protest the state government's unfair decision.

The MVA government this year increased the premium of insurance under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana six-fold, but did not raise the cover. The hike dealt a massive blow to the finances of Dahanu farmers, who already struggling because of damage to their fruits caused by pollution and the cyclone, and the financial strain due to the pandemic. mid-day had highlighted the struggles of Dahanu's chikoo farmers in a front-page story on Monday.

The farmers' protest was brief, as police arrived at the chowk 30 minutes later and requested them to disperse. Their agitation also did not impact traffic.

At the protest, Vinayak Bari, the president of Maharashtra Rajya Chikoo Utpadak Sangh, told farmers to "not pay such a high premium".

"Despite several requests, the government is not setting up a research centre for chikoo in Dahanu, which has the Geographical Indication (GI) status for the fruit. Today, we are incurring heavy losses because of the natural catastrophe and high level of air pollution," Bari said.

"We are not getting good returns as the fruits fall down before ripening. The hike in insurance premium will add another burden on us. The government must look into our plight," he added.

Local MLA Vinod Nikole also came to the protest site and assured to help the farmers. "He promised to arrange a meeting with the chief minister to resolve the issue," said Kunal Mali, a chikoo farmer. Bari said Nikole also assured us that he will raise the issue in Vidhan Sabha during the upcoming session.

Manisha Chaudhary, the BJP MLA from Dahisar and resident of Dahanu, said, "It is the responsibility of the guardian minister to look after the betterment and upliftment of the people of his region. And the local guardian minister is the agriculture minister of Maharashtra [Dadaji Dagdu Bhuse]. He should have taken better care of the Dahanu farmers, but unfortunately, they have to protest today to have their voices heard."

"Dahanu is known for horticulture, but here, the local farmers are suffering. There is not a single agricultural research centre in Dahanu till date. The state government must do the needful at the earliest to safeguard the local farmers," Chaudhary added.