Not long ago, the flowers and exotic vegetable from their farms made it to marriages and events as far as Delhi and Chandigarh, but post the national lockdown, there is no demand for such produce. Farmers are compelled to sell their produce at throwaway prices in the local market and even feed it to animals.
“I have cultivated exotic vegetables over 12 acres of land, including three net houses. I used to send these vegetables to Delhi, Panipat and Chandigarh, but not after the lockdown,” said Sandeep Kumar, a farmer of Mohidinpur village.
He harvests around 150 boxes of seedless cucumber every day, each containing 20 kg, but only five-six are sold in the local market. “The seedless cucumber now sells for Rs 5-6 per kg, while earlier it was sold at Rs 25-30 per kg. I am unable to sell what I harvest every day and have no choice but to distribute it to the farmhands or feed animals.” Naresh Kumar, another farmer, too has a similar tale to narrate.
Sanjay Kumar Pundir, who is growing roses over four acres and coloured capsicum in one acre in Nagla Megha village, said there was no demand from any segment and the blooms were beginning to dry in the harsh April sun. “Demand peaks in March and April due to Navrataras and marriages, but not this year. My flower crop is ready for harvest and I’m staring at huge losses,” he said.
Horticulturists said the short shelf life of vegetable and flowers and the absence of a warehouse in Karnal district were adding to their mounting losses. “We cannot store flowers and exotic vegetables for long as there is no warehouse in the district. The government must compensate the farming community,” Pundir said.
This news has not been edited by Apni Kheti staff but has been published by various news feeds
Source: Tribune India