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The Shetkari Sanghatana has decided to hold a sit-in in front of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' residence here in Dharampeth on November 30 to press for relief to distressed farmers.
Hundreds of farmers from Vidarbha and Marathwada are expected to participate in the agitation, led by Sanghatana founder Sharad Joshi. This decision was taken at a state executive meeting of the Sanghatana here yesterday.
State President Gunwant Hangargekar said farmers all over the state were reeling under crisis as all major crops including cotton, soyabean and paddy besides orange and grapes were ruined due to insufficient rains.
"The farmers have suffered a double blow. While bad weather conditions have led to heavy crop losses, the market rates for all crops including sugarcane and onion are too low to give any return on investment to the growers," the farm leader told reporters.
The farm body’s regional leader and ex-MLA Wamanrao Chatap said the sit-in will begin around afternoon. He said the BJP has now grabbed power at the Centre as well as the state and hence should fulfill the election promises of higher rates for crops.
