Guntur Chilli marketyard is not only popular in Andhra Pradesh and across the country but also across the world as the biggest chilli yard in Asia.
Asia's biggest trading yard is in news but this time for the wrong reasons. According to the latest many farmers and traders staged protests with a rasta roko on the Guntur Chilakauripet Highway opposing the move to introduce e-trading.
Trading for the day was stalled for a day and farmers gave in only after marketing officials gave them assurances that their interests will be protected. Trouble began after Joint Collector Ch. Sridhar announced that the State Government was introducing e-trading to ensure transparency in chilli trading on Wednesday. Even a piolot scheme of chilli bags barcoding was launched.
This was resisted by commission agents and traders as more than 150 unlicensed traders were trading for many years though only 500 licenses were issued. It becomes mandatory for traders to register with the AMC if e trading of commodities come into existence.
Unlicensed traders are protesting this move as they are feeling the heat. The chille trading season which begins in February ends in the month of June. Over 80000 chilli bags are treaded in the peak season with trade volume ranging between Rs 80-RS100crs.
