ALLAHABAD: Poor production has hit growers of the famous red guava, who are finding it difficult to export "Allahabadi Surkha" to other states as well as West Asian countries.
Growers in Allahabad and Kaushambi claimed that production of "surkha" has dipped between 35% and 40%, compared to previous year due to pest infection. As a result, red guava is currently sold in city only.
Munnu Bhai Patel, president, Allahabad Surkha Guava Welfare Association (ASGWA) said, "Farmers growing Allahabadi surkha are are finding it difficult to earn profit. The major chunk of crop has been infected by pests in areas like Bamrauli and Kaurihar-II in Allahabad and Muratganj belt in Kaushambi district."
Talking to TOI, Patel said, "The limited produce is being sold on higher prices (Rs 1,700 to Rs 1,900 per basket) Each basket contains around 20kg to 22kg of guava. The local buyers have to shell out extra money. One kg of guava is currently sold at Rs 60 to Rs 70. It was earlier sold at Rs 35 to Rs 40. The produce could not be exported to other states of the country and abroad."
For the last two years, around 2,000 farmers engaged in production of red guava are facing problems to sell their produce and get better prices. Patel urged the state government to give relief to farmers.
"The assessment of losses could be ascertained only after the seasonal sale gets over,"Patel claimed.
Last year, guava growers had to face hardship to sell their crops due to demonetisation as well as poor cash flow, he said.
Red guava or Allahabadi Surkha is the only product from the city that has the geographical indication (GI) tag.
Dhananjay from Bakrabad village said, "We are seeking help from state government to improve the situation and get the right price." He added that buyers arriving at the mandi were not ready to spend much on infected crop (daagi fasal) and the sellers were forced to sell at nominal rates.
On an average, each farmers used to earned of Rs 60,000 to Rs 80,000. But this year, they are suffering losses.
Guava is being cultivated in around 2,000 bigha of land in Bamrauli, Kaurihar-II areas of Allahabad and Muratganj area of neighvouring Kaushambi district.
Four years back, farmers under the umbrella of the National Horticulture Mission had started the cultivation of various varieties of guava, including export varieties of Allahabadi Surkha, Lalit Sangam and Allahabadi Safeda.
Growers in Allahabad and Kaushambi claimed that production of "surkha" has dipped between 35% and 40%, compared to previous year due to pest infection. As a result, red guava is currently sold in city only.
Munnu Bhai Patel, president, Allahabad Surkha Guava Welfare Association (ASGWA) said, "Farmers growing Allahabadi surkha are are finding it difficult to earn profit. The major chunk of crop has been infected by pests in areas like Bamrauli and Kaurihar-II in Allahabad and Muratganj belt in Kaushambi district."
Talking to TOI, Patel said, "The limited produce is being sold on higher prices (Rs 1,700 to Rs 1,900 per basket) Each basket contains around 20kg to 22kg of guava. The local buyers have to shell out extra money. One kg of guava is currently sold at Rs 60 to Rs 70. It was earlier sold at Rs 35 to Rs 40. The produce could not be exported to other states of the country and abroad."
For the last two years, around 2,000 farmers engaged in production of red guava are facing problems to sell their produce and get better prices. Patel urged the state government to give relief to farmers.
"The assessment of losses could be ascertained only after the seasonal sale gets over,"Patel claimed.
Last year, guava growers had to face hardship to sell their crops due to demonetisation as well as poor cash flow, he said.
Red guava or Allahabadi Surkha is the only product from the city that has the geographical indication (GI) tag.
Dhananjay from Bakrabad village said, "We are seeking help from state government to improve the situation and get the right price." He added that buyers arriving at the mandi were not ready to spend much on infected crop (daagi fasal) and the sellers were forced to sell at nominal rates.
On an average, each farmers used to earned of Rs 60,000 to Rs 80,000. But this year, they are suffering losses.
Guava is being cultivated in around 2,000 bigha of land in Bamrauli, Kaurihar-II areas of Allahabad and Muratganj area of neighvouring Kaushambi district.
Four years back, farmers under the umbrella of the National Horticulture Mission had started the cultivation of various varieties of guava, including export varieties of Allahabadi Surkha, Lalit Sangam and Allahabadi Safeda.
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