KOLKATA: Nearly 30-40 per cent of the country’s vegetable production has been damaged over last fortnight due to heavy rains in Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Production of fruits has also been affected due to rains and storm. Banana, the most consumed fruit in India, was the worst hit.
The country produces 150 tonne vegetables and 77 tonne fruits annually. Prices of both fruits and vegetables have gone up by 10-15 per cent in most markets across the country, affecting common people. “The high price regime is likely to continue till the middle of next month. Farmers have started replanting but the new crop will only come to the market after one month,” said Shriram Gadhave, president, Vegetable Growers Association of India. “Till then, there will be no respite for consumers.”
The indication of a higher vegetable price comes at a time when the September inflation touched a seven month high of 6.46 per cent driven largely by soaring onion and vegetable prices. Fields are under water in most the states, with rain taking a toll on the vegetable and fruit production. The country already incurs post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetable worth Rs 2 lakh crore per year due to lack of storage and processing facilities.
“This year’s rain and storms have aggravated the situation. In Jalgaon district of Maharashtra, banana production is down by 80 per cent. Even the 20 per cent bananas that we have been able to produce is of lower quality,” said BV Patil, president, Banana Growers Association of India. Jalgaon is famous for its bananas.
Panic buying after cyclone Phailin hit Odisha and Andhra Pradesh has pushed up onion prices in both the states. Potato is being sold at Rs 18-20 per kg and onion is costs Rs 55-60 per kg. Farmers in West Bengal said that excessive downpour is affecting the crop. “There is not enough storage capacity in the state and therefore whatever vegetable is being produced is getting damaged by rains,” said Suresh Koley, a vegetable grower from Burdwan district.
Source: The Economic Times