Summer heat takes toll on vegetable supply in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi

Mangaluru/Kundapur, Apr 19: The scorching summer heat has dealt a blow to vegetable production, leading to a significant reduction in locally grown vegetables available in the market. This deficit in yield has prompted an increase in the influx of vegetables from ghat areas to districts of Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Udupi.

Agriculturists like Govinda from Haklady village Kundabarandadi lamented the drastic decline in vegetable yield this year. Previously abundant crops like gherkins and long beans have seen a sharp decrease, with gherkin yield plummeting from the usual 400 kilos to a mere 50 kilos. The relentless heat causes flower wilting and accelerates rotting, exacerbated by the menace of monkeys, peacocks, and deer ravaging crops.

Ganesh, a vegetable merchant in Kundapur, noted the unprecedented scarcity of locally grown vegetables, which traditionally matched the supply from ghat areas. This shortage has led to daily fluctuations in vegetable prices due to supply-demand imbalances.

Agriculturist Hemanatha Shetty attributed the low yield to scorching heat and inadequate water supply. The absence of rain and water facilities has severely hampered crop growth, leading to reduced harvests and subsequent losses for farmers.

Babu Ganiga, another vegetable grower from Kundapur, highlighted the struggle of maintaining crops amid soaring temperatures despite nearby water sources. Despite efforts to water plants twice daily, the yield of crops like okra, long beans, and cucumber remains dismal.

Ramakrishna Sharma, president of the district agriculturists' association, emphasized the need for growers to adopt scientific methods to mitigate losses caused by summer heat. Despite high demand for locally grown vegetables, their scarcity has driven prices to unprecedented levels.

As a result, prices of essential vegetables have surged, with beans reaching Rs 120 per kilo, ring beans at Rs 140, long beans at Rs 100, and cucumber at Rs 60 per kilo. Other vegetables like drumstick, cabbage, beetroot, capsicum, and brinjal have also witnessed significant price hikes, reflecting the impact of the summer heat on vegetable supply in the region.