MYSURU: Farmers, who grew vegetables in abundance in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar, have suffered a setback due to lack of demand from Kerala and falling prices. Unable to bear the cost of labourers, transportation and middlemen's charges, they are forced to let their produce rot in the farms of these two districts. They are now demanding that the government provide minimum support price for their produce especially tomato, beans, brinjal and beetroot.
Tomato growers could not even recover the cost of harvest. Farmers say the price of tomatoes - usually sold for up to Rs 20 per kg - has slumped to Rs 2 per kg.
Ravi, a farmer from Nanjangud taluk, said contrary to the general practice, there is no specific rate for tomatoes now. "There is no rate for other vegetables too in the market," he said.
Gundlupet taluk general secretary of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha Mahadevappa said there was good rainfall for three months during the time of sowing. "Farmers sowed seeds hoping for a good produce and rate. There was good yield, but the rate has fallen. During summer, people in Kerala consume more of sea food and less vegetables. But the monsoon starts in June and fishermen are not allo wed to venture into the sea to catch fish. From June, when Kerala starts to purchase more vegetables from Karnataka, then the rate will rise automatically," he said.
Mahadevappa demanded that the state government announce support price. "A farmer spends nearly Rs 70,000 to grow vegetables in 1-acre land, but he is not getting even Rs 10,000. He is unable to p ay the labour cost. I have grown beetroot on 4 acres and also beans and tomatoes. But as there is no rate, I have left it in the farm itself," he said.
Horticulture department deputy director K Rudresh said he spoke to merchants in Kerala and was told there is no transportation of vegetables to Kerala. "There is good yield but no buyers," he said.
Usually, hundreds of vehicles from Kerala reach the markets in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar district to purchase vegetables directly from farmers at wholesale price.
Tomato growers could not even recover the cost of harvest. Farmers say the price of tomatoes - usually sold for up to Rs 20 per kg - has slumped to Rs 2 per kg.
Ravi, a farmer from Nanjangud taluk, said contrary to the general practice, there is no specific rate for tomatoes now. "There is no rate for other vegetables too in the market," he said.
Gundlupet taluk general secretary of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha Mahadevappa said there was good rainfall for three months during the time of sowing. "Farmers sowed seeds hoping for a good produce and rate. There was good yield, but the rate has fallen. During summer, people in Kerala consume more of sea food and less vegetables. But the monsoon starts in June and fishermen are not allo wed to venture into the sea to catch fish. From June, when Kerala starts to purchase more vegetables from Karnataka, then the rate will rise automatically," he said.
Mahadevappa demanded that the state government announce support price. "A farmer spends nearly Rs 70,000 to grow vegetables in 1-acre land, but he is not getting even Rs 10,000. He is unable to p ay the labour cost. I have grown beetroot on 4 acres and also beans and tomatoes. But as there is no rate, I have left it in the farm itself," he said.
Horticulture department deputy director K Rudresh said he spoke to merchants in Kerala and was told there is no transportation of vegetables to Kerala. "There is good yield but no buyers," he said.
Usually, hundreds of vehicles from Kerala reach the markets in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar district to purchase vegetables directly from farmers at wholesale price.
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