Vegetable price crash: The horticulture department in Punjab has finally woken up to vegetable prices crisis in the state. It is seeking ways to intervene to prevent chilli glut in the market. On Friday it discussed ways to promote green chilli cultivation in the state even as vegetable growers and farmers remain anxious over the fall in capsicum and chilli prices.
Horticulture minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra chaired a meeting with the officials in this regard. The meeting discussed ways to promote green chilli cultivation in Punjab by standardising its quality, marketing and processing, said an official. A proposal to open controlled atmosphere stores in various parts of Punjab was also mooted.It also sought to export chilli out of Punjab to avoid glut.
Vegetable prices crash
Punjab vegetable growers are a worried lot as the prices of vegetables have crashed. So much so that there is glut of vegetables in the market. Farmers are forced to sell their produce at throw away prices. Earlier on Wednesday farmers dumped capsicum produce on the road as prices crashed due to a glut in the market.
Growers have suffered heavy losses as prices of various vegetables due to higher yield and lack of proper market crashed in the state. There is big difference in wholesale and retail prices and in the absence of any government check, growers are feeling robbed and many are planning to return to wheat-paddy cycle.
Capsicum at Rs 2 per kg
Vegetable growers complain they are forced to sell capsicum at Rs 2 per kg in the wholesale market. But it’s being sold in the retail market at Rs 20 per kg. They alleged the government authorities have failed to devise a mechanism to ensure proper price to farmers.
Senior officers of the horticulture department said improvement in the quality of seeds and favourable weather conditions had resulted in the increase of the production of vegetables this year.
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