Vegetables disappear from markets in city

Vegetables have virtually disappeared from the city markets and people visiting rythu bazaars on which they depend for fresh vegetables at low cost, are returning with empty bags.

The city having a population of nearly 20 lakh gets around 800 quintals of vegetables every day, half of which is grown in the rural district and the remaining imported from neighbouring districts.

But due to the scorching heat which has dried up all water sources, the supply fell to 300 quintals. Around 300 quintals are supplied through 12 rythu bazaars during the peak season and this has dropped to 100 quintals or less now.

Except for brinjal, bottle gourd and ridge gourd, no other vegetable is found in rythu bazaars. Leafy vegetables have become rare.

About 1,400 farmers from 66 villages bring vegetables to the rythu bazaars. Now the number has dropped to less than 500 farmers.

Due to shortage, prices have skyrocketed. Brinjal is sold for Rs 40 a kg.

The assistant director of marketing, Mr B. Ravi Kumar, said that due to shortage of water, farmers were growing only creepers like bottle gourd, ridge gourd and cucumber.

“We have to wait till the first rains of the monsoons to increase crop cover and varieties. The horticulture department will be supplying seeds to farmers shortly,” Mr Ravi Kumar said.

Those determined to buy vegetables at lower cost have begun to visit weekly shandies in Gopalapatnam, Madhuravada and Anandapuram located on the outskirts of the city and fetching stocks for an entire week.

“We are banking on pickles, dal and occasionally marine fish since our family members are fed up eating brinjal and bottle gourd,” said Mr K. Ravana Murthy, a tax consultant who lives in MVP Colony.