Hybrid technology - Continuous reduction in the vegetable prices in Chennai and its huge impact!!
Posted on: 06/May/2023 9:11:00 AM
These days, the traders and farmers are finding their livelihood very difficult.
At the Koyambedu market in Chennai, there has been continuous decrease in the prices of vegetables, especially tomatoes. It must be taken into account that there has been a continuous supply of veggies from neighbouring states like Karnataka, AP etc and this has brought down the vegetable rates in Chennai market. This has also affected the livelihood of farmers as well as the traders
The prices of veggies have come down two fold in the last 3 months. At the Koyambedu market, tomatoes were sold for Rs 8 per kg. In the same manner, prices of other vegetables like carrot, onions, okra, drumsticks etc have also come down.
As per Mr. M. Thiayagarajan, president of Koyambedu Vegetable, Fruits and Flower Traders Association it was clear that AP and Karnataka proves 95% of vegetable supply to the Koyambedu market. He added that the production of vegetables has become more now due to heavy rains in recent times in these states. As a result, there is now more supply of vegetables to the Chennai market and that affects the vegetable prices and daily earnings etc.
It is noteworthy that a few decades back the vegetable supply would reduce in the summers but these days the vegetables production has become more irrespective of the season. The hybrid technology has been so successful that the concept of seasonal vegetable setc has decimated totally. Even after the season gets over, fruits like mangoes and watermelons are sold. Mr. Thiagarajan concluded that the farmers can`t meet the expected return that they have invested and their lives get affected.
Mr. PR. Pandian, president, Coordination Committee of All Farmers Association mentioned that the TN govt must protect the farmers by announcing a minimum selling price for all the vegetables.
