Hyderabad, March 10 -- A shortage of gunny bags at Siddipet market yard has forced sunflower farmers in Siddipet district to sell their produce to private traders at a loss, Telangana Rythu Sangham activists found during their inspection on Monday, March 10.

According to M Shobhan, joint secretary of the organization, farmers in Siddipet district have cultivated sunflower on 11,202 acres out of the total 18,000 acres across the state this year.

During the visit, activists observed that farmers had brought their produce to the market yard two weeks ago, hoping for procurement by MARKFED. However, due to the unavailability of gunny bags, their produce has been lying in the yard since then.

Though the minimum support price of sunflower is...