By: Shamoon Rasool
The volume of trade between India and Pakistan is approximately $2.15 billion. Indian exports to Pakistan are worth $1.8 billion, while Pakistan’s exports to India are worth $350 million. So India’s trade war with Pakistan may cost it $1.8bn.
A steep fall in prices of tomatoes has led to an unprecedented crisis for farmers in Maharashtra. Nearly five lakh farmers in the state are affected as wholesale price has come down to just Rs 2 per kg. The sudden price drop has two main reasons – bumper crop this year and Pakistan ban on import. Pakistan has stopped importing for political reasons this season.
According to the reports Indian farmers said tomatoes were sold to traders at Rs 10 – 12 per kg and about Rs 40 per kg in retail markets until a week ago. While their share has been reduced to Rs 2, retailers are still selling it for Rs 20, they said.
India’s almost 30-40% of the total crop cultivation is exported to Pakistan every year via Srinagar, Wagah and Attari.
With the entire crop of tomatoes arriving in the local market, the prices are declining.
Since the issue is directly related to Maharashtra’s farmers, it is a concern for the government of BJP. Dhule’s BJP legislator, Subhash Bhamre, discussed the issue with Nirmala Sitharaman and Suresh Prabhu, union ministers.
