End of the year: A year of heavy expenses for households as weather and pests destroy horticultural crops

A few months ago, beans were selling at more than Rs 100 per kg, which had come down to Rs 40-50 per kg. | Photo Credit: Sudhakar Jain

Unseasonal rains after the first few months of drought disrupted the horticultural crop cycle in Karnataka this year, pushing up prices of most vegetables and fruits throughout the year. This increased the average monthly vegetable-fruit budget of households in Bengaluru by at least ₹ 40 – 50.

During the summer season, as the mercury levels rose, beans touched one of their all-time highs with a kilogram of the vegetable costing over Rs 200 in the retail market. Farmers say they get only 30-40 percent of their normal produce, but supply to the market has dropped by 70 percent. A few months ago, beans were selling at more than Rs 100 per kg, which had come down to Rs 40-50 per kg.

The kitchen of every kitchen, the price of tomatoes went up to Rs 120-130 per kg and as the supply and demand balance worsened, the weather affected it to Rs 10 per kg. After tomato prices reached record highs in 2023, many farmers planted the crop this year, which caused a short-term market frenzy and prices fell. In the crops, the diseases of chasma and bingi have caused losses to the farmers. Farmers say that although the disease has been affecting the crops for years, the horticulture department has not given much help.

Onions and garlic have also often hit the headlines this year as trade changes across the country have affected prices here too. The central government’s decision to lift the ban on onion exports brought joy to farmers in Karnataka. After May, prices continued to rise till November when they reached ₹ 70 – 80 per kg. This year too, customers are finding it difficult to get quality onions.

For almost two years, one kg of garlic is being sold at Rs 300 to Rs 500. It is said that some confusion has been created among the buyers because the garlic produced by Chinese products has entered the market of the state. Harmful to health. Government officials raided the Udupi APMC in October and seized five quintals of Chinese garlic and also conducted some inspections in Bengaluru markets.

The bad streak of mangoes continues this year as well. Experts estimate that production will be around 10-14 lakh metric tons this year, but it has decreased by almost 70-80 percent due to insect attack. Good quality mangoes are sold in the market for around Rs 200 per kg.

Despite these few major developments, prices of banana, capsicum and carrot have also crossed Rs 100 per kg at various times of the year. Many farmers have abandoned their horticultural crops this year and shifted to commercial crops or agricultural crops due to their climate resistant properties.