Udumalai: Kerala traders have shown interest in direct procurement of pandal vegetables from Udumalai region. Thus, it is expected that there will be a change in the trade.
In Udumalai, Gudimangalam and Madathikulam localities, vegetable cultivation is being carried out more and more for well irrigation. In the past few years, farmers have shown interest in growing vegetables such as Birkan, Putala, Gourd, and Zucchini in their farmlands.
During the last monsoon season, due to heavy rainfall and disease infestation, the yield of panthal vegetable crops was halved and the farmers suffered losses. Therefore, after a short break, they have again intensified the production of pandal vegetables.
Thus, now, in this type of cultivation, the harvesting of pods has started.
In this case, they were sending vegetables to Kerala for sale through markets including Udumalai and Ottanchatram.
At present, Kerala traders have come directly to the Udumalai region’s farmlands to purchase Panthal vegetables.
Farmers said:
In agricultural land, it costs more to set up a pandal. Once a pandal is set up, only this type of cultivation can be carried out for several years. In the current season, the yield of gourd is good.
As Kerala traders purchase directly from the farmlands, the cost of transport to the market is avoided.
Currently, the price of Zucchini is available between Rs 10-12 per kg depending on the quality. With the direct purchase system, we are expecting a change in the business.
Thus, the farmers said.