The Nilgiris: Farmers in Kotagiri in the Nilgiris district are perturbed, as the rates of Chow Chow has tumbled drastically leaving them unable to recover transport cost.
The Nilgiris: Farmers in Kotagiri in the Nilgiris district are perturbed, as the rates of Chow Chow has tumbled drastically leaving them unable to recover transport cost.
Chow Chow is cultivated in a vast area in the Nilgiris district. Especially farmers in Kotagiri from Nedukula, VOC Nagar, Erisipetta, Milithan, Indira Nagar, Sullikkudu, Kattupettu and Kookalthurai have opted for vegetable farming, after profits from tea leaves has dropped, over the years.
The farmers lament that the average purchase price of Chow Chow which was Rs. 30 to Rs. 45 per kg has now declined to Rs. 10 per kg. Despite damages due to wildlife attacks, the farmers did not suffer much losses in the past, due to adequate purchase price.
"Due to heavy rains in Kotagiri and its surrounding areas, production of Chow Chow increased drastically, thus bringing down the prices to a all new low. Presently, in Mettupalayam and Kotagiri vegetable markets, Chow Chow is being purchased for a maximum of just Rs. 10 per kg, with which we will not even be able to recover the transport cost", lamented a farmer from Milithan village in Kotagiri.
According to the farmers, the cost of cultivating Chow Chow in an acre of land would be around Rs. 3 - 4 lakhs. With rising input prices like shortage of labour, cost of fertilizers, wildlife attacks and pest infestations, farmers are forced to get bank loans to complete the harvest.
In this scenario, falling prices have irked farmers who point that poor storage facility has worsened their holding power to sell Chow Chow at a later period.
Chow Chow is cultivated in a vast area in the Nilgiris district. Especially farmers in Kotagiri from Nedukula, VOC Nagar, Erisipetta, Milithan, Indira Nagar, Sullikkudu, Kattupettu and Kookalthurai have opted for vegetable farming, after profits from tea leaves has dropped, over the years.
The farmers lament that the average purchase price of Chow Chow which was Rs. 30 to Rs. 45 per kg has now declined to Rs. 10 per kg. Despite damages due to wildlife attacks, the farmers did not suffer much losses in the past, due to adequate purchase price.
"Due to heavy rains in Kotagiri and its surrounding areas, production of Chow Chow increased drastically, thus bringing down the prices to a all new low. Presently, in Mettupalayam and Kotagiri vegetable markets, Chow Chow is being purchased for a maximum of just Rs. 10 per kg, with which we will not even be able to recover the transport cost", lamented a farmer from Milithan village in Kotagiri.
According to the farmers, the cost of cultivating Chow Chow in an acre of land would be around Rs. 3 - 4 lakhs. With rising input prices like shortage of labour, cost of fertilizers, wildlife attacks and pest infestations, farmers are forced to get bank loans to complete the harvest.
In this scenario, falling prices have irked farmers who point that poor storage facility has worsened their holding power to sell Chow Chow at a later period.