Team Herald
MARGAO: The prices of locally grown leafy vegetables (gauvti bhaji) have risen in the Margao market, disrupting the monthly budgets of middle-class families.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Pedrina Fernandes, a vegetable vendor at Davorlim, said that the current water shortage has affected the availability of leafy vegetables. “The season for growing local leafy vegetables is nearly over, and the high prices are due to supply and demand issues. Farmers are unable to bring large quantities of leafy greens to the market or roadside stalls. We mostly grow seasonal vegetables and fruits for domestic consumption and do not engage in large-scale farming,” she explained.
She added that many varieties of vegetables, including leafy greens, are supplied from neighbouring Karnataka. However, during this season, supply disruptions often lead to price hikes. Local Goan farmers, who cultivate small patches of these vegetables, are bringing in limited stock.
A large number of farmers in Borda, Davorlim, Sao Jose de Areal, Nuvem, and other places cultivate leafy greens and fruits, but production shortages have led to price revisions. “The prices of gauvti vegetables have not skyrocketed, but they have increased by Rs 5 to Rs 10. Earlier, we sold two bundles of leafy greens for Rs 30, but now we sell three bundles for Rs 50. Similarly, sweet potato (vatta) that was earlier Rs 50 is now Rs 100, with a slightly larger portion,” Fernandes added.
Laximan Naik, a resident of Margao, pointed out that the poor supply of greens from Karnataka has made it difficult for families to maintain a balanced diet, especially for children who rely on iron-rich vegetables. “Fruits like apples, oranges, watermelons, and grapes have also become expensive, which is affecting the budgets of low- and middle-income groups. Grapes are sold at Rs 150 per kg by roadside vendors, while in the city, they are priced between Rs 160 and Rs 180 per kg,” he noted.
Farmers traditionally grow vegetables such as lady’s fingers, brinjal, chilli, long beans, cluster beans, radish, cucumber, and tambdi bhaji in places like Dicarpale, Fatorda, Nuvem, Agalli, Mungul, and Sao Jose de Areal.
At the Margao market, five to seven radishes cost around Rs 25, while tambdi bhaji is sold in bunches priced at Rs 20, or three bunches for Rs 50. A batch of 25 large lady’s fingers is Rs 100. Long beans are priced at Rs 50 per bunch, while cluster beans cost Rs 40 per portion.
Naik also noted that prices vary from place to place. “In the Margao market, the same quantity of vegetables is priced higher than what we buy from roadside vendors,” he said.
Other vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, peaches, plums, melons, green beans, spinach, beets, onions, bananas, and mushrooms remain available but at revised prices.
