Untimely rains may send leafy veggie prices up

The prices of the leafy vegetables may shoot up in the coming days.

Experts from the Agrometeorology department of India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the untimely rain in Pune and other parts the state have damaged leafy vegetables and the early sown jowar and maize crops.

Officials fear that the rain might have damaged early sown onions due to the increase in the groundwater level. The grapes may also get diseased due to this. 

During this time of the year, winter sets in most parts of the country, particularly in Maharashtra. However, this year, the rainfall activity has been witnessed in some parts of Maharashtra. 

Officials of Agrometeorology department told dna, “The untimely rain has caused wetting of leafy vegetables which causes powdery mildew disease. The same disease might have spoiled the grapes, especially in Sangli.”

“The early sown jowar and maize which were sown in September may have damaged due to this untimely rainfall activity,” officials said, adding that the increase in the groundwater level may also damage the early sown onion.

Shivlal Bhosale, chairman of the Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Marketyard Commission Agents Association, said, “Presently, we are getting good supply of vegetables to APMC market but the leafy vegetables in the farms have been damaged and therefore we may see shortage of supply in the next few days.” 

Expect more rains

Meanwhile, IMD experts said that Pune and surrounding areas are likely to witness rain and thundershowers in the next 24 hours as the low pressure area on the Bay of Bengal may get stronger. The Pune city recorded 3.2 mm rainfall on Tuesday.