Gondal Market Yard Chili Auctions Halted On Day One As Farmers Protest Gunny Bag Weight Deductions

Around 50 farmers stage protest over 500-gram deduction per bundle; demand full weight or ₹120 compensation for each jute sack

Chilli auctions at the Gondal Marketing Yard in Gujarat’s Rajkot district were halted at the very start of the season after farmers protested against traders deducting the weight of gunny bags from their produce without compensating them for the cost of the sacks.

The dispute erupted when the first consignment of the season, comprising approximately 700 bundles of chillies, arrived at the yard. Farmers objected to traders deducting 500 grams per bundle for the weight of the jute sacking, arguing that each sack itself had a market value of ₹120.

Farmers Demand Full Weight Or ₹120 Per Sack

The farmers argued that deducting 500 grams from every bundle reduced the quantity of produce considered for payment, while the cost of the gunny bags was not being reimbursed.

They demanded that traders either weigh the produce along with the jute sacking or pay ₹120 as compensation for each sack.

The protest quickly escalated, with around 50 farmers sitting on the ground near the market yard office. They warned that auctions would remain suspended until their demands were addressed.

Yard Officials Hold Talks With Farmers

As tensions mounted, Gondal Marketing Yard directors Prafullbhai Toliya and Jitubhai Jivani intervened to hear the farmers’ grievances.

Yogeshbhai Kayada, president of the Brokers’ Association, and its secretary, Tarunbhai Panchani, also joined the discussions with the protesting farmers.

The intervention aimed to find a mutually acceptable solution to the dispute and restore normal auction operations.

Resolution Awaited As Auction Disruption Hits Season Start

The yard authorities have assured farmers that they will make every effort to resolve the issue amicably at the earliest by arranging a meeting between farmers and traders.