Farmer strike in Maharashtra

A farmer spills milk on a road during the protest
in Aurangabad. (PTI)

TT, Mumbai, June 1 (Reuters): Farmers in Maharashtra started an indefinite strike today, curtailing the supply of vegetables, fruits and milk to cities such as Mumbai.

Indebted farmers are demanding a waiver on loans from the government of the big farming state, similar to the debt forgiveness announced by Uttar Pradesh in April.

Outbursts of rural discontent in Maharashtra and other states represent a challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has promised to double the income of farmers over the next five years.

Maharashtra needs to spend Rs 30,500 crore to write off debts owed by 3.2 million farmers, Fadnavis had said in April.

On Thursday morning, farmers in the state blocked vehicles ferrying vegetables and milk to cities and dumped their loads of produce on to the road in many places.

"Farmers have set up check posts on national highways to ensure vehicles carrying vegetables and fruits cannot enter the city," said a trader based at Vashi market on the outskirts of Mumbai.

"Prices have started to rise because of lower supplies. If tomorrow trucks fail to enter into the market then prices could rise sharply," he said.