Close on the heels of homegrown marigold flowers withering in the competition against those imported from Karnataka, Goan vegetable farmers found themselves at the losing end over 'tambdi bhaji', a red leafy delicacy in households and restaurants in the State.
Goans selling this bhaji were completely outplayed as the Gandhi market in Margao was flooded with the leafy vegetables imported from Ghattaprabha and other hubs in Karnataka. The Goan produce of this bhaji loses out to the one which comes from Karnataka because of the cost factor. While three wads of 'tambdi bhaji' from Karnataka cost around Rs 20, the Goan equivalent is priced much higher ranging between two to three times that price.
The math goes in favour of Karnataka grown vegetables because of the scale of production and the cost of labour which is drastically low in comparison to Goa. Against the price difference, the advantage of Goan produce being pesticide-free, of better texture and nutrition pale out and don't find that traction to beat the market competition.
In an interesting turn of events, leader of the Gandhi Market Vendors Association and former Dy Chief Minister Manohar Babu Ajgaonkar stoutly backed the local vendors operating in the market and managed to keep those selling ‘outside’ produce of bhaji out of the market on the premise that there can’t be a parallel market competition for local producers.
The decision to bar bhaji coming into Gandhi Market is rather strange, and probably through his clout Ajgaonkar may have succeeded in defending the local vendors, but in the normal course of business, such moves could be counter-productive and more damaging if people abandon the market itself on account of the price variation. Even if Ajgaonkar sticks to his guns and reigns over the Gandhi market business, he will be unable to replicate it in other markets of the State. More importantly, legally sourced produce from other States cannot be denied entry into local markets.
Director of Agriculture Neville Alphonso has expressed concern over outstation vegetables scoring over local produce and has appealed to Goans to support and patronise vegetables sold by locals, but in tried and tested situations, such appeals pale out against pricing. The government will have to come up with definitive action to remedy this emerging market-threatening trends.
Whether it is the marigold flowers or 'tambdi bhaji', it is the price that becomes the decisive factor and it is here where scales turn in favour of produce from other States. While the government has done its fair bit in providing fertilisers and subsidies, there are other factors that need consideration. The Swayampurna Goem, a pet project of Chief Minster Pramod Sawant, which is focussed on self-sufficiency faces a major hurdle and may fall out in such a scenario.
The two cases ” marigold farming and 'tambdi bhaji' cultivation ” stand testimony that Goans are fighting a losing battle against 'outside' supply, and this becomes a major stumbling block and demotivating factor for those pursuing farming.
It’s time Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik, who recently announced cash incentives for top-performing zonal officers who succeed in expanding crop cultivation in their area, shift focus to the all-important sales part. Efforts to boost cultivation would be futile if the market math is not sorted out.
