Black Gram (Uzhunthu) Producers and the Black Gram Mafia – Let’s Protect Our Farmers and Share Information
In April 2020, the government stopped the importation of black gram (uzhunthu). The government has also fixed guaranteed prices for 16 agricultural products, with the guaranteed price for black gram being Rs. 220 per kilogram. (Many who read this may think that neither the government nor its officials have genuine concern for farmers.) Similarly, there are several crops for which the fixed guaranteed prices cannot actually be achieved in the market — for instance, cowpea (Rs. 600) and green gram (Rs. 220).
Now, let us focus on black gram. While some mafias sell it at a retail price of Rs. 2000 per kilogram, a few individuals are shedding crocodile tears for farmers by demanding that black gram imports be reopened.
This season, although thousands of farmers obtained and cultivated black gram seeds, they have faced a severe decline in yield. Normally, an average yield of about 350 kg per acre is expected, but due to unfavorable rainfall, farmers have harvested only between 150 kg and 250 kg per acre. In some areas, crops were completely destroyed. Even though crop insurance has been introduced, many farmers have not shown interest in obtaining it.
Soon, black gram from the Anuradhapura District will also enter the market. However, yields there are also low, and damages are reported.
Amidst all these challenges, as soon as black gram production begins to reach the market, mafias and middlemen have drastically reduced the wholesale purchase price from Rs. 1300 to Rs. 350 per kilogram — a typical exploitative move seen every harvest season.
Therefore, farmers are advised not to sell their produce immediately. Instead, they should store it safely for some time and, if possible, engage in retail sales directly, avoiding middlemen.
To protect farmers, the Vavuniya Department of Cooperative Development has already announced that the minimum price should be Rs. 460 per kilogram. Additionally, the Seed Division of the Department of Agrarian Development will soon begin purchasing black gram for seed purposes — at that time, the price is expected to be fixed at Rs. 600 per kilogram.
Considering that black gram vadai and dosai have now become a luxury dream for ordinary people, farmers should aim to sell directly to consumers without involving intermediaries, ensuring fair prices for both producers and consumers.
In January this year, the farmers of the Chettikulam area in Vavuniya jointly decided to sell black gram at not less than Rs. 500 per kilogram. All farmers are therefore requested to take note of this decision.
Farmers are encouraged to sell their produce for Rs. 500 or more per kilogram to secure reasonable profits. If this is not possible, they may hand over their produce to the Cooperative Service Centers at a minimum rate of Rs. 460 per kilogram.
Deputy Commissioner,
Department of Cooperative Development,
Vavuniya
