Tomato Farmers, Dates Traders In MP Stop Business With Pakistan Over Pulwama Attack

Bhopal: Thousands of tomato farmers and date exporters in Madhya Pradesh have decided to cut ties with Pakistan in protest against the Pulwama attack in Kashmir.

The Indian government had withdrawn the Most Favoured Nation status for Pakistan and hiked customs duty by 200% on all goods imported from the country soon after the Pulwama attack, as part of its plan to cut off financial relations with the nation.

Now, thousands of tomato growers of Petlawad tehsil in Jhabua district in MP have decided to stop exporting to Pakistan, in spite of the heavy losses this entails.

Read more: Contextualising Pulwama Attack and the Rise of New Kashmiri Militancy

Petlawad tomatoes are in high demand in Pakistan because of their size and tanginess. Tomatoes exported from here fetch Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 per carat (25 kg) in Pakistan, while the same quality sells for Rs 500 to Rs 600 in India, as per local collection agents and suppliers.

Besides the tomato farmers, exporters of dates (khajur) in Indore have announced they are entirely severing trade ties with Pakistan — even if it means foregoing a huge chunk of their profit margin.

Several date traders have cancelled orders and are ready to pay demurrage (penalty) for declining to accept deliveries.

Incidentally, the move by these traders has been endorsed and praised by Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath

Read more: Kashmir Without Kashmiris?

Tomato Farmers

Tomato growers of the region are holding a series of meetings with farmers to ensure a blanket ban on tomato exports to Pakistan.

Mahendra Patidar, who grows tomatoes on 10 acres in Karwad village of Jhabua district, said, “No farmer from the entire district will export tomato to Pakistan. I, alone, produce around 40 tonnes of tomatoes every year, nearly all of which goes to Pakistan. I stand to lose lakhs of rupees. But we are prepared to bear the losses, as our nation’s pride and security is paramount.”

Petlawad tehsil grows nearly 70% of the produce, and tomatoes grown here weigh an amazing 150 gram each or so.

According to farmers and supply agents, before the 2016 Uri attack, Petlawad used to supply over 50 trucks of tomatoes, each carrying around 500 crates to Pakistan. But after the Uri attack, the volumes began declining. Now it is set to drop to zero.

Nanalal Patidar, a farmer, said, “We are not dependent on Pakistan. The government should snap all ties with Pakistan.”

See more: The Aftermath of Pulwama Encounter

Date Exporters

Dealers of dry dates in Indore have also decided to cut off trade ties with Pakistan in protest against the Pulwama terror attack and plan to export dates from Iran and Iraq.

Indore is a major market for dry dates, rock salt and mango from Pakistan. The volumes are massive — every day 320 quintals of dry dates arrive from Pakistan at the Siyaganj wholesale kirana market. From Indore, dry dates are supplied to markets across the state and to Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Maharashtra.

President of Siyaganj Wholesale Kirana Merchant Association, Ramesh Khandelwal, said, “Each and every trader has decided to not keep any business relations with Pakistan. We are ready to pay more to other countries, but will not give a single paisa in trade with Pakistan. Dry dates and rock salt have been coming from Pakistan for decades, but now there is a blanket ban.”

There are 20 dealers of dry dates at Siyaganj. Requesting anonymity, a trader said, “There are at least 10 vehicles of Indore-based traders that have already reached the India-Pakistan border, but I have refused to accept delivery. I won’t mind paying a hefty demurrage (penalty) but will not indulge in trade with a country that promotes terror attacks in India.”