Mangalore used to get 25 truckloads of papaya till a few weeks ago, but is now getting only 10-12 trucks.
After the Lok Ayaukta revelations in Karnataka, we know where the ‘wealth of the nation’ has been parked—in private bank accounts of politicians who are now serving jail terms.
But can you believe that these leaders are also after our share of fruits?
You read it right, our ‘health-conscious’ politicians are taking a king’s share of papayas and that too right from the farmers’ doorsteps. As a result, there is a short supply of the fruit in the markets all over the state.
Mangalore used to get 25 truckloads of papaya till a few weeks ago, but is now getting only 10-12 trucks.
“We are unable to get the supplies as per our requirement. The wholesale suppliers from Chitradurga (one of the largest growers of papayas) Bidar, Bijapur and Gulbarga say they get better prices in upcountry markets,” said Mahesh of Sakleshpur, who is an operator in the papaya marketing network in Mangalore.
“When I asked what the reason was, I heard that the papayas were getting transported to Delhi in bulk and the price they got was at least thrice more than here.”
A few months ago, papayas used to fetch `15-22 per kg for the best quality, but now these fetch not less than `50 a kg in Delhi and the local consumers are made to shell out `30 upwards for inferior-quality papayas.
“Top-quality papayas do not come to the wholesale market or the regulated market anymore.
“Big parties from Delhi send bulk orders to the farmers directly during the harvest season and also send trucks to pick up the consignment. This is happening in all growing areas, including Chitradurga,” said Hamid Rehman, a Chitradurga-based agent.
“It is not exactly contract farming, but we do get all our money at one go and immediately. It is a pleasure doing business with the Delhi-based parties as they send money first and claim the goods later. We too, keep up our part of commitment as they come every season,” said Chandrashekarappa a papaya farmer in Chitradurga taluk.
The papayas of Karnataka now reach the breakfast plates of elite politicians in Lutyens’ Delhi, Chankyapuri, and Lodhi Gardens.
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