Dengue scare jacks up papaya prices

The rising cases of dengue have triggered panic in the city, due to which people are trying out all kinds of remedies to avoid the disease. Among these supposed remedies doing the rounds are rumours of the healing capacity of papaya. The papaya rumours, which have gone viral on social networking sites, have definitely helped fruit vendors, who have jacked up the rates of the fruit.

Kunal Raj, a resident, said, "News about the papaya and its leaves having the capacity to heal dengue fever and increase the blood platelet count is spreading fast on WhatsApp and social networking sites. This is turn has increased the demand of the fruit. A few weeks back raw papaya would cost just Rs 15-20 per kg, but now, all of sudden, it has gone up to Rs 50-60 per kg. Vendors are charging exorbitantly for the leaves."

Sudhir Tungar, secretary APMC, Vashi, said, "Raw papaya is never in much demand hence supplies too are low, but now all of sudden the demand has gone up including the demand for papaya leaves. As there is gap between demand and supply, the prices have gone up to Rs 60 per kg."

Manohar Totlani, a wholesale dealer from APMC market said, "Papaya is mostly grown in Solapur and North Gujarat. More than raw green papaya, it is the ripe one which is usually in demand. Green papayas are mostly purchased for medicinal use. Nowadays, the demand for raw papaya and its leaves have gone up."

It is believed that papaya juice cures dengue fever and increases blood platelets. The leaves are most sought after and people are paying good price to get the leaves. Ayurveda specialist Dr Randhir Sawant said, "One should not blindly start drinking papaya leaf juice. Nowadays, pesticides are used widely. Hence, it is important to know from where it has been sourced. Papayas should be properly washed before consuming. Raw papaya too should be peeled thoroughly and then consumed."