MARGAO: With the prices of vegetables procured from outside Goa skyrocketing, the residents of Margao have started buying locally grown varieties of green vegetables. People are seen buying tambdi bhaji, dhavi bhaji, bhendi (Ladyfinger) and other vegetables, particularly the locally grown varieties available in the Margao market and its surrounding areas.
Santana Simoes from Gogol, who sells the local vegetable varieties in the area, said that the season of locally grown leafy vegetables is almost over.
“We can’t bring locally grown vegetables in large quantities. But, we sell whatever is available at an affordable price. We grow local vegetables and fruits for domestic consumption and do not indulge into large-scale farming. Therefore, the supply of these products is not enough to meet the demand,” she said.
Maria Fernandes from Fatorda said that the prices of vegetables, fruit and other essential commodities, particularly the locally grown varieties, rose in the last few months, which have not
yet receded.
Elisa Cardoso, a vegetable vendor from Borda said that usually September to December is the season of festivals, culminating with the New Year. She said that during this time prices of essential items like fruits, vegetable go up.
She however said that usually prices of locally grown green vegetables, fruits come down after April and stabilise the prices.
“We prefer locally grown vegetables, therefore the demand is more,” she said.
It is pertinent to note that local people grow green vegetables at Davorlim, Borda, Fatorda, Nuvem, Mungul, St Jose de Areal areas and other places. Local varieties of brinjals, cucumber and other vegetables which are grown locally in Dicarpale, St Jose de Areal, Borda, Fatorda and other villages of Salcete, are in high demand. But the supply is not enough.
