The tomato growing farmers of Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh have decided to not export their produce to Pakistan. The decision comes in the wake of the ghastly attack by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad in which 40 CRPF soldiers lost their lives.
As a mark of respect for the fallen and to protest against Pakistan’s wicked machinations, the farming community in Jhabua’s Petlawad arrived at the conclusion of not exporting their tomatoes to a country which indulges in killing India’s soldiers. There are approximately 5000 farmers engaged in tomato cultivation in the region. CM Kamal Nath had Tweeted in appreciation of the farmers’ exemplary display of solidarity.
Ravindra Patidar, one of the farmers was quoted by Indiatimes saying, “We grow tomatoes here and we also export them to Pakistan. They eat our tomatoes and yet attack our Army soldiers. Pakistan should be destroyed.” He further added that they are no longer concerned with bearing losses. “If there will be no soldiers, how will we survive,” he said. It is notable here that the tomatoes from the region are sold at a much higher price in Pakistan than in India.
Earlier on Saturday, tea exporters’ body had also declared that they are ready to stop export to Pakistan if the government stops bilateral trade. The exporter’s body has asserted that they are willing to bear the losses, asserting that for them their country takes precedence over the profits. They also extended their support to the central government in case of any retaliatory actions against Pakistan.
India had already started concentrating on its efforts on isolating Pakistan internationally. It has also withdrawn the Most Favoured Nation status granted to Pakistan and levied 200% customs duty on the Pakistani goods imported. This is expected to result in a massive economic and trade shock to the already near-bankrupt state of Pakistan.
