Roadblock due to farm protests at Singhu hits nursery business

New Delhi, Feb 16 After the months-long lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 35-year-old Manjur Alam was expecting customers at his plant nursery, however, the farmers' protest at Singhu border has prolonged his agony.

Alam, a resident of South 24 Parganas in West Bengal, told he was expecting his business to pick up from November but the farmers' protest has led to the Delhi-Chandigarh national highway being blocked.

Pointing towards his nursery, Alam said, "During the lockdown, the business was completely shut and we were hopeful sale of plants and flowers would restart from November but the farmers' protest has became a hindrance. We bring seeds of flowers and plants from West Bengal or Pune and grow them here."

He added, "Not a single plant has been sold since the farmer protests began here. It takes around Rs 40,000 - 45,000 per month for maintenance of nursery, including, labour for gardening, electricity and many other expenses. Plants are ready to be sold as the process of growing plants starts from August to October and from November plants are ready for sale."

He said that the plant nursery was set up by his father in 1984 in Singhu village which is located along the road where farmers have been sitting on protest against the Centre's three farm laws.

Alam said, "We used to sell plants earning Rs 1 lakh to 1.50 lakh per month but this year we are yet to receive a single customer. I have no idea how long this will go on and we have to wait for business to resume."

( With inputs from IANS )