Infuriated, but managing to stay alive, farmers in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district spread their tomato produce at the spot that was their regular marketplace, but only so they could crush it with trucks.

It was an act they found more respectable than selling the result of their hardwork at 50 paise per kg.

According to a report in Counter Currents, these farmers were forced to sell 100 kg tomatoes for a mere Rs 50. The per kilo average comes down to a paltry 50 paise - a coin as good as crushed tomatoes (despite being legal tender).

Angry farmers in Ramgarh dist in Chhattisgarh dumping tomato on highways. Getting market price of Rs 50/qntl only. pic.twitter.com/BA7fc7f1n2 Devinder Sharma (@Devinder_Sharma) December 7, 2016

WHY ARE THE FARMERS ANGRY?

Farmers in Chhattisgarh's Pathalgaon and Farsabahar saw an incredible tomato produce this year. They didn't get much time to revere it though, as Modi's demonetisation changed the equation.

The 'anti-black money' drive hit them where it hurts the most, and did nothing to save them from the middlemen who added to their misery. That's when the angry farmers decided to dump their produce on the roads, to have it crushed by the same trucks that would have carried it to the market.

The problem is not just the deflation in prices brought about by demonetisation. It is further exaggerated in the region by the move's repercussions like:

Original Photo: Twitter - @Devinder_Sharma Original Photo: Twitter - @Devinder_Sharma

These tomatoes are grown across 4,200 hectares of land and the produce feeds as many as 4,000 farmers and their families. That is, if they manage to sell it at the industry-standard price.

In 2010, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh promised to set up a cold storage unit to protect perishable crops. And over six years have passed, but cold winds still don't blow. Farmers have also demanded a food processing unit, but to no avail.

Demonetisation only worsens the situation, as the currency ban has created such a hole in farmers' pockets, that they are now struggling to even cut through logistic costs.

IT'S NOT JUST CHHATTISGARH FARMERS

Wholesale vegetable dealers in Bihar are going through similar hard times.

According to a Scroll.in report, "Cauliflower was selling for Rs 12 a kilo just before the announcement on November 8. It is now selling for one or two rupees."

Similarly in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar, Sanjay Gunjal, a cabbage farmer, told Hindustan Times how he earned just Rs 6,000 for his entire acre of produce. Before demonetisation, though, he would have earned Rs 80,000 for the same.

For onion-growers, demonetisation presents a different misery. Onion cultivation is a cash and labour intensive process, but with the sudden ban on most available currency, farmers have had no choice but to abandon their crops mid-way.

"I had to abruptly stop, as there was no cash to pay labourers and they weren't ready to take the old notes lying with me. Nor are the new Rs 2,000 notes of any use, because people know you can't buy daily essentials and get proper change with these," 42-year-old Nandu Awati told Indian Express. "Last two years, we suffered from drought. This year, we have enough water, but this cash crunch has upset all our calculations," he said.

THE MANY WAYS THEY SUFFER

The demonetisation-prompted fall in crop prices may be good for consumers, but for farmers it only spells tragedy.

Worst off will be those farmers who have taken loans to buy raw material for growing crops. Failure to get a legitimate price on their produce, will push them under massive debts, burdened by interests.

Small farmers are also suffering a cash-crunch due to demonetisation, as many have crops lying around, but with no buyers whatsoever.

Such is the story of Maharashtra's Marathwada.

The region fought a four-year-long battle with droughts, and just when they experienced a good period of rainfall, they were hit by demonetisation.

A dried up well in Maharashtra's drought-prone Pambharne village. Photo: Mandar Deodhar A dried up well in Maharashtra's drought-prone Pambharne village. Photo: Mandar Deodhar

Narayan Surey, a young Marathwada farmer, finally earned Rs 75,000 from his first lot of corn this year. But the money did him no good, as he was paid by cheque. He now has to wait the long queues at banks to dry up, so he can get a chance to withdraw the money and invest in the new sowing season.

And that's not even his biggest problem, as another 100 quintal of corn lies idle with him, in search of buyers.

You can read the full report here: Ground Report: After drought, now demonetisation brings jitters to Marathwada farmers

A catch 22 situation for the farmers in Marathwada - Photo: India Today A catch 22 situation for the farmers in Marathwada - Photo: India Today

At least 3,00,000 farmer deaths have been reported in the last two decades. And that would be a conservative estimate.

Now, with Modi's demonetisation drive sending prices in a free-fall, one can only hope that the men who bring us our food hold on for a silver-lining.