Year ender: A year of big expenses at home as weather and pests destroy horticulture crops

Beans continued to sell above R100 per kg for several months before dropping to R40 – 50 per kg. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

The first few months of drought followed by poor rains disrupted the horticulture crop cycle in Karnataka this year, pushing prices of vegetables and fruits higher throughout the year. The average monthly vegetable–fruit budget of families in Bengaluru has increased by at least ₹40 – 50 due to this.

During the summer season, as mercury levels rise, beans hit their highest level with a kilo of vegetables costing more than R200 per kilo in the retail markets. Although farmers reported that they only got 30-40% of their normal harvest, the supply to the market has decreased by 70%. Beans continued to sell above R100 per kg for several months before dropping to R40 – 50 per kg.

A staple of every kitchen, tomatoes were also hit by the weather as prices rose to R120 – 130 per kg and fell by R10 per kg as the balance of supply and demand was thrown off. After tomatoes reached record prices in 2023, many farmers planted this crop this year which caused a glut in the market and reduced prices. This crop has also been affected by destructive diseases and bingi which lead the farmers to losses. The farmers said that even though colds have attacked these crops for many years, the Horticulture department is not helping much.

The arrival of Chinese-grown garlic in the Kingdom’s markets also caused confusion among consumers. | Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K

Onions and garlic have also been in the news a lot this year as trade changes across the country have affected prices here as well. The central government’s decision to lift the ban on onion exports has brought joy to farmers in Karnataka. After May, prices continued to rise until November when they touched R70 – 80 per kilo. Customers again found it difficult to find good quality onions this year.

For almost two years now, a kilogram of garlic is being sold anywhere between R300 – 500. The arrival of garlic grown in China in the Kingdom’s markets has also caused confusion among consumers as it is reported that the variety is almost identical to the normal one. dangerous to health. Government officials raided the Udupi APMC in October and seized five quintals of Chinese garlic and also searched Bengaluru markets.

This bad trend continued in mangoes this year as well. Although experts had predicted this year’s harvest to be 10 – 14 lakh metric tonnes, it has fallen by around 70 – 80% due to insect attacks. Good quality mangoes sell for around R200 per kilo in the markets.

While this was one of the biggest developments, the prices of bananas, capsicum, and carrots also broke the R100 mark per kilo at different times of the year. Many farmers also gave up their horticultural crops and depended on commercial crops or agricultural crops this year because of their weather resistance qualities.