Soaring vegetable prices pinch people's pockets

MYSORE: For Rekha Patil, a homemaker from Srirampura, her vegetable bill is going up, thanks to increase in prices by Rs 10-Rs 15 in the last one month. With children at home, we can't compromise on vegetables. So we have reduced the quantity. I supplement the nutrition levels with fruits,'' she said.
Says Keerthi Akshay, an employee with a private company and who lives in Yadavgiri: With increased prices, I feel it is better to have a kitchen garden.As of now, reducing the quantity is the only alternative.''
Vegetable prices have skyrocketed: Beans which used to cost Rs 40 per kg are now Rs 50 in Devaraja Market, Rs 55 in Big Bazaar and Rs 47 in Hopcoms. Carrots which used to be available at Rs 30 per kg till a couple of weeks ago, now range between Rs 40 and Rs 47. Similarly, ladies finger which used to cost around Rs 30/kg now ranges between Rs 35 and Rs 47 in various markets and supermarkets. Barring tomato which is available at around Rs 10 per kg, the price of most vegetables has gone up. However, there is not much fluctuation in the price of potato or onion.
The prices have gone up due to low yield, thanks to acute shortage of groundwater level and severe power shortage in villages, said MS Raju, assistant director of horticulture.
Vegetables are largely grown in Varuna hobli, Megalapura, Keelanapura, Dootagrama and Kesare in Mysore taluk, Hampapura in HD Kote taluk, KR Nagar taluk and in Hebbal. More farmers have started growing short-term crops like tomato, beans, cabbage, radish and beetroot in the region.
Raju told TOI: "Price depends on climatic conditions. With no rainfall in the city, the prices have soared. But this is the best price for farmers. The price encourages them to grow more vegetables."
Apart from people, the rise in vegetable prices in the district has affected vegetable sellers at Devaraja Market. Supply at the market has not decreased. Wholesale traders are selling beans, carrot and ladies finger at Rs 40/kg and above.
Siddiqui, a vegetable vendor at Devaraja market, said: "People purchase vegetables in small quantity when prices increase. Prices are expected to remain the same till monsoon."
Increase in vegetable prices is forcing people to cut down on quantity or not buy the more expensive ones like carrot or beans. This may lead to loss in nutrients in the body which are very essential in summer. Loss of nutrition due to sweat is common during summer. Vitamin C is more in vegetables like carrot and beans. As an alternative, people must consume fruits," said J Rajeshwari, professor, department of food and nutrition, Maharani's Science College.
LESS SUPPLY
There is less supply of vegetables at APMC market. Low yield due to less water is the reason and 80% of vegetables are exported to Kerala.
Ramesh SJ, marketing manager, APMC
VEG PRICES/KG
Devaraja Market ( price last month)
Beans: Rs 40
Carrot: Rs 30
Ladies Finger: Rs 35
Cucumber: Rs 10
Tomato: Rs 8
Devaraja Market (price today)
Beans: Rs 50
Carrot: Rs 40
Ladies Finger: Rs 40
Cucumber: Rs 12
Tomato: Rs 10
MORE SUPER MARKET
Beans: Rs 49
Carrot: Rs 47
Ladies Finger: Rs 47
Cucumber: Rs 9
Tomato: Rs 11.70
BIG BAZAR SUPER MARKET
Beans: Rs 55
Carrot: Rs 40
Ladies Finger: Rs 40
Cucumber: Rs 22
Tomato: Rs 9
Hopcoms
Beans: Rs 47
Carrot: Rs 32
Ladies Finger: Rs 38
Cucumber: Rs 16
Tomato: Rs 13