Vegetable prices skyrocket in Srikakulam

Srikakulam: Prices of vegetables have been soaring since May first week here due to the reduction in production in the wake of summer. Vegetables are being cultivated mainly in Srikakulam rural, Amudalavalasa, Etcherla, Lavery, G Sigadam, Ponduru, Palakonda, Veeragattam and Narasannapeta Mandal in the district.

Vegetable cultivation was affected due to continuous dry spell till May 18 and production was reduced considerably when compared to previous years and that led to the rise in vegetable prices. Price per kilogram of tomato was increased from Rs 23 to Rs 50 in a span of 20 days.

Tomato production was damaged due to the dry spell in Veeragattam and other Mandal in the district as a result, a price has been increased. “We are acquiring tomato from Berhampur of Odisha, Chattisgarh and Chittoor district to meet the demand,” said the assistant director of marketing department Y V Shyam Kumar.

Other vegetables prices are increased in a span of three weeks; brinjal price touched Rs 30 from Rs 17, green chilli price crossed Rs 70, cabbage price increased to Rs 27 and beans price crossed Rs 60. “Vegetable prices are increasing due to less production this year and we are expecting the increase in production in the wake of a cyclone,” said Srikakulam Rythu Bazar estate officer D Laxmana Rao.

“We are planning to increase cultivation of vegetables in all Mandal, including Agency area in the wake of early rains,” said the assistant director of horticulture department M A Raheem.