Kurnool: Scorching heat conditions have led to a fall in production of vegetables in the Kurnool region. This has resulted in a surge in vegetable prices, causing difficulties for Kurnool city's population. Prices of vegetables have almost doubled in markets during the last one month.
Key vegetables now cost no less than ₹70-80 per kilogram, with prices of chilies, capsicum, beans and bitter gourd witnessing a steep hike. This is despite many farmers shifting to vegetable farming, as it is relatively less cumbersome compared to cultivating paddy and other crops. Rising summer heat and availability of water has cut down the yield of vegetables.
Currently, prices of tomato are ranging between ₹35–₹50 per kilogram, green chilies ₹70–₹80, potato ₹45–₹50, capsicum ₹65–₹70), bitter gourd ₹80–₹90, broad beans (₹145–₹150, cabbage ₹30–₹35), carrot ₹50–₹60), cluster beans ₹75–₹80), brinjal ₹30–₹40, French beans ₹80–₹100), ginger ₹180–₹200, lady’s finger ₹30–₹35, radish ₹45–₹50), cauliflower ₹50–₹55), beetroot ₹45–₹50) and ridge gourd ₹80–₹100. Raw banana is costing ₹10–₹15 each and bottle gourd ₹30–₹35 each.
"We have cut down on vegetables due to their unaffordability, buying only those that cost least,” said K. Lakshmi, a housewife from Weaker Sections’ Colony.
"Many vegetables will be out of reach for common people. The situation will continue till the region gets monsoon showers and local crops are available," said vegetable trader G Rangappa of the local Rythu Bazar.
According to horticulture officials, tomatoes are primarily grown in Pathikonda, Peapully, Tuggali and Aspari; beans in Kodumur; lady’s finger in Dornipadu, Allagadda, Rudravaram and Koilakuntla of Nandyal; green chilies in Pagidyala and Jupadu Bungalow; brinjal in Adoni, Midtur and Aspari; green leaves in Kallur, Nandyal, Maddikera, Bandi Atmakur, and Holagunda; and carrots in limited areas of C. Belagal and Gudur.
