SOURCE: Mathrubhumi
Giving huge loss to farmers and vendors, tonnes of pineapple got rotten at Vazhakkulam pineapple market here. It is reported that the pineapple taken for sale on Saturday got rot as no customer arrived in the market due to the complete lockdown on Sunday.
The rotten fruits were seen dumped inside the market. Usually, the pineapple farmers get a good sale every Ramzan season. But due to the lockdown, only one-third amount was got from the sale compared to the previous years. The farmers complained that they are not even getting the money spent on the production from the sale.
The farmers faced a huge loss as tones of pineapple got rot inside the market. Due to the fall in prices, the vendors collected pineapple from the farmers with the condition that payment will be made only after the sale.
Vendors who have taken pineapples from the farmers in such manner were unable to sell it at Vazhakulam market. As the fruits are no more consumable, both farmers and vendors are in crisis.
As the pineapples got rotten, the vendors have to clear it from the market on Monday. As heavy rain continues to lash the district, pineapples was completely spoilt in the market.
Vendors cleared rotten pineapples from the market the other day also. The rotten fruits were taken to cattle farms to feed the animals. The vendors are struggling to dispose of the rotten fruits as the pineapple waste treatment plant is almost full.
At present, a huge quantity of rotten pineapples are found inside the market.