In a powerful symbol of agrarian crisis, hundreds of potato cultivators from Assam's Sadiya region brought a national highway to a standstill on Monday. The farmers, driven to desperation by crashing prices and alleged exploitation, staged a unique road blockade by unloading tonnes of their freshly harvested potatoes directly onto National Highway 37.
A Highway Submerged in Protest
The dramatic demonstration unfolded in the 8 Mile area of Tinsukia district. Approximately 300 farmers, arriving on foot and with a convoy of 7-8 tractors, took matters into their own hands. They offloaded their harvest onto the tarmac, transforming a critical transit route into a sea of potatoes. As the produce covered the highway, the farmers raised slogans against the state government's perceived failure to protect local cultivators.
The action inevitably caused a massive traffic snarl, stranding hundreds of vehicles on both sides of the road. The visual of a national highway buried under potatoes underscored the depth of the farmers' frustration and their struggle for survival.
The Root of the Anger: Exploitation and Neglect
The protest was a direct backlash against plummeting farmgate prices and the control exerted by middlemen and business syndicates. Farmers from Sadiya, one of Assam's largest potato-producing zones, revealed a harsh economic reality.
They alleged that they are forced to sell their potatoes to intermediaries at a meagre Rs 6 to Rs 7 per kilogram. However, these same potatoes are then sold in the open market for Rs 10 to Rs 14 per kg, allowing traders to pocket huge profits while farmers struggle to recover even their basic cultivation costs.
"We have no choice but to sell our potatoes to middlemen at throwaway prices because there is no proper market infrastructure in Sadiya," said protesting farmer Bidyut Borgohain. He highlighted the cruel paradox where traders double their money while farmers face losses.
The farmers' resentment is further fueled by the alleged import of potatoes from other states. They questioned why Assam needs to bring in potatoes when local farmers, producing substantial quantities, are compelled to sell at a loss due to a lack of marketing channels. "Sadiya is one of the highest potato-producing areas in Assam, yet we have been completely neglected," stated another aggrieved farmer.
Demands and Government Response
The blockade and the ensuing traffic chaos prompted government officials to rush to the site for negotiations. In discussions with the authorities, the agitating farmers presented two clear and pressing demands:
- The establishment of a proper, modern market facility specifically for potato growers in the Sadiya region.
- The setting up of cold storage infrastructure to help them store their produce and prevent devastating post-harvest losses.
Officials assured the protesters that their grievances would be conveyed to higher authorities and that appropriate action would be considered. Following these assurances, the farmers cleared the highway of potatoes and dispersed. However, they issued a stern warning that their agitation would intensify if concrete steps are not taken to address their long-standing concerns.
The protest in Dibrugarh district lays bare the chronic issues of market access, fair pricing, and infrastructure deficit that plague Indian agriculture, forcing farmers to resort to extreme measures to make their voices heard.
