City to face shortage of fruits and vegetables accompanied by a rise in prices. Blame the soaring temperatures for upsetting crop health in the state
City to face shortage of fruits and vegetables accompanied by a rise in prices. Blame the soaring temperatures for upsetting crop health in the state
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Mumbaikars weren't the only ones complaining of the heat as the mercury hit an all-time high of 41.6C on Wednesday.
Women sweat it out as they negotiate the price of mangoes with a seller
Farmers across the state are complaining that their cropsu00a0 are also suffering from 'heat strokes'. So, be prepared to dish out princely sums for veggies as well as the king of fruits this summer.u00a0
Agricultural experts fear that the rising temperatures will affect the yield this season if the weather gods continue to scorch the Earth.
Farmers are worried the soaring temperatures will cause various diseases to the crops, which will affect the harvest.
Vijay Doble, a fruit wholesaler from APMC, Vashi, said that last year, nearly 20,000 boxes of mango, each weighing 10 kg had arrived in the month of March.
However, this March, only 3,000 boxes, less than a quarter of that quantity, have reached the market.
"The mango production is less and if the temperature continues to soar, the quantity of mangoes reaching the market will reduce."
H R Bhonde, additional director, National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation,u00a0 said, "There is a worry that crops might contract diseases.
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If the weather continues to be the same, crops will surely be affected. The availability and growth of vegetables will also be affected."
Bhonde added that farmers could take measures to prevent the crops from rotting. "We have asked farmers to make use of a net shade, which will save the crops from being affected by the direct heat," he said,.
Farmers and retailers say vegetables will be severely affected if the heat continues
Agreeing with Bhonde, Kirti Singh Rana, a mango producer from Satpura district said, "We are worried about the extremely high temperature in Mumbai.
We hope this does not occur in other parts of the state or else the Kesar mangoes, which are harvested in April, will suffer from sunstrokes. We have adopted the wait and watch policy for now."
Sanjay Pingle, director, Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), said, "If the temperatures continue to soar, the availability of vegetables will not be the sole concern.
The quality of the yield will also be affected and this will have a domino effect on the cost of vegetables. We are hoping the temperatures take a downward swing."
Prices of veggies
Ladyfingers (Ocra): Rs 40
Cauliflower: Rs 10
Tomato: Rs 8
Onions: Rs 12
(prices per kg)
Prices of Fruits
Watermelon: Rs 25
Apple: Rs 120
Grapes: Rs 40
Muskmelon: Rs 30
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