On Tuesday afternoon, lemon farmers in Apatzingán, Michoacán, gathered for a demonstration to demand the resolution of outstanding issues they believe the government has with the union.
At the call of members of the Apatzingán Valley Citrus Growers Association, they gathered at the Lázaro Cárdenas Monument after leaving the lemon market at 11:00 a.m.
During the peaceful demonstration, they demanded the creation of an agricultural development bank with easy credit, as well as preferential rates to encourage agricultural recovery.
Water concessions, protection of the production chain, and fair prices were also raised by lemon growers in attendance.
During the protest, they harshly criticized the purchase price they are receiving per kilo of lemons, emphasizing that it is well below production costs.
In line with this anger, protesters threw lemons onto the streets they passed, shouting in unison, “There it is! If you want it for free, there it is.”
According to state media present during the demonstration, approximately 2 tons of lemons were thrown.
Farmers block highways in 20 states due to agricultural crisis
Farmers from at least 20 states held a national strike this Tuesday with roadblocks and demonstrations in front of government offices to denounce the crisis facing the Mexican countryside.
The protesters are demanding a fair price for crops, greater investment in technology and support programs, as well as the exclusion of basic grains from the Free Trade Agreement (USMCA).
In Tamaulipas, producers gathered at the point known as La Y, on the highway to Ciudad Victoria, and blocked the road to make their demands visible.
In addition, damage was reported in stretches such as Mante-Valles, Mante-Victoria, Victoria-Matamoros, Matamoros-Reynosa, and Reynosa-Victoria.
In Río Bravo, the Municipal Association of Rural Owners organized a peaceful demonstration at its offices.
In Zacatecas, farmers from the state’s Union of Agricultural Wells blocked the Calera toll booth and other points along the highway to Aguascalientes.
In protest against low prices and foreign competition, some producers even threw away part of their produce, mainly onions, tomatoes, and other items, arguing that the income did not even cover transportation and fuel costs.
Source: msn
