Locally-produced vegetables take a hit in run-up to Onam

  • | Tuesday | 14th August, 2018

“The loss of locally-grown vegetables is considerable given that local cultivation is taken up with a view to providing safe-to-eat vegetables,” said M.P. The heavy rain also hit flower cultivation taken up by Mahila Association members in the district, said Mr. Rajeeve. The Palliyakkal Service Cooperative Bank had expected a harvest of around 100 tonnes of vegetables for Onam from 65 hectares. The widespread loss to farmland and standing crops caused by heavy rain in recent weeks now threatens the availability of locally-produced vegetables ahead of Onam. Vijayan, president of the Palliyakkal Service Cooperative Bank, which has also taken up cultivation of vegetables and bananas ahead of Onam.

more-in The widespread loss to farmland and standing crops caused by heavy rain in recent weeks now threatens the availability of locally-produced vegetables ahead of Onam. The district office of the Department of Agriculture has put the overall loss at ?20 crore. It is estimated that vegetable crops, including Nendran banana and tubers, in over 1,200 hectares have been destroyed. An official of the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK), which has made a significant foray into vegetable farming, said the losses suffered by farmers under self-groups backed by the council could be around 75%. The initial expectation was that around 2,500 tonnes of vegetables would be produced ahead of Onam. However, it is now felt that the crop loss has been severe, and only around 25% may be retrieved. VFPCK farmers had taken up cultivation in more than 1,800 hectares, which included vegetables, banana, and tuber. “The loss of locally-grown vegetables is considerable given that local cultivation is taken up with a view to providing safe-to-eat vegetables,” said M.P. Vijayan, president of the Palliyakkal Service Cooperative Bank, which has also taken up cultivation of vegetables and bananas ahead of Onam. He said the thrust on local cultivation followed apprehensions that imported vegetables were not safe. The Palliyakkal Service Cooperative Bank had expected a harvest of around 100 tonnes of vegetables for Onam from 65 hectares. However, the production may now be just around 15 tonnes, Mr. Vijayan said. According to CPI(M) district secretary P. Rajeeve, vegetable production estimates made by various local committees of the party in the district has now been scaled down to around 100 tonnes from the earlier 3,000 tonnes. The heavy rain also hit flower cultivation taken up by Mahila Association members in the district, said Mr. Rajeeve.

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