Sharp increase in green vegetable prices in Jamshedpur hurting domestic finances

Jamshedpur: Winter, considered a bonanza time for green vegetables, has run out of its good cheer, with prices of green vegetables skyrocketing. The worst hit are the middle-income groups and the poor.

In the city and its surrounding areas, prices of green vegetables continue to climb. Pricey ginger, garlic, and green chilies, in particular, have spoiled the taste of daily meals. The kitchen budget of ordinary people is being severely impacted. Most green vegetables in the market are priced at over Rs 60 per kg.

Garlic and ginger have become dearer by a huge margin. In the local vegetable markets of Jamshedpur, garlic and ginger are available for Rs 150 per kg, while green chilies are available for Rs 100 per kg. Meanwhile, peas, beans, tomatoes, and eggplants are all in that Rs 60 per kg bracket, bitter gourd has gone up to Rs 80 per kg, and gourd Rs 30 per piece. Carrots are also available for Rs 60 per kg, while new potatoes are priced at Rs 30 per kg, old potatoes at Rs 20 per kg, and onions at Rs 30 per kg. Cabbage and cauliflower are available in the market for Rs 20 per piece.

Vegetable vendors say that currently, only cabbage, cauliflower, and tomatoes are being supplied by farmers in the Ghatshila area. Other vegetables are being procured from West Bengal. This could be one of the reasons for the expensive green vegetables.

A decline in prices is expected within a week or a fortnight. This year’s incessant rains have damaged vegetable crops, impacting the market, say experts. People are having to buy vegetables at higher prices, and that has made it difficult for middle-class families to manage their household budgets.

Farmers of Ghatshila and Galudih, however, are a happy lot. The increase in the price of cabbages and cauliflowers has given them a reason to cheer. Farmers of Chodinda village, located in Jodsa Panchayat of Ghatsila block, are happy with their decision to cultivate cauliflower. A large group of farmers in this village is involved in vegetable farming. Farming is the main source of their income. Farmers here cultivate cauliflower along with seasonal vegetables. Farmer Murali Manohar Sharma said, “Chodinda’s cabbage is famous in the area. This time I have also cultivated cauliflower on about one bigha of land.” He takes the produce to Jamshedpur and the local markets and is now selling it for Rs 30 to 40 per cabbage.

According to farmers, cauliflower is planted in the fields after harvesting the paddy crop. Planting begins in late October, and the vegetable is ready for harvest in December. Many farmers in the village are involved in cauliflower farming. Farmers say that cauliflower farming generates an annual income of approximately Rs 50,000.

There is, however, room for improvement in the vegetable production with better irrigation facilities. “In many villages of Jodsa Panchayat, tomatoes, eggplant, spinach, chickpeas, and peas are cultivated during the Rabi season, along with cauliflower and cabbage,” a farmer said, and added that if irrigation facilities are available, farming will be even better. “Most farmers plant cauliflower and cabbage. Currently, farmers are getting good prices for cabbage in the market. While it costs Rs 30 in the local market, it fetches Rs 40 to 50 per cabbage when taken to Jamshedpur markets for sale. This price rise is generating additional income for the farmers.”