the goan I network
BELAGAVI
With Belagavi vegetable suppliers reluctant to send their vehicles to Goa on account of various restrictions and objection from locals in Keri-Sattari, some vehicles from Goa arrived in Belagavi on Sunday to collect vegetable supplies directly from local farmers.
According to reports, only 20-25 vehicles carrying vegetable supplies were sent to Goa on Sunday.
Uncertainty prevailed among the private wholesale vegetable traders from Belagavi and the suppliers to Goa State Horticulture Corporation (GSHC) on Sunday, amid the lockdown being imposed strictly in Belagavi in view of a surge in COVID-19 cases in the district.
Confusion also prevailed in the wholesale vegetable market due to uncertainty of supplies to Goa and few stocks of vegetables from farmers, due to which about 75% of suppliers preferred to stay home till normalcy returned in the market.
“Following our difficulties in sending vegetables to Goa, we have received assurances from Goa State Horticulture Corporation (GSHC) authorities to send our vegetables to Goa,” said Ganesh Oulkar, a supplier to GSHC told The Goan.
“However, due to the prevailing uncertain situation, non-availability of labourers and reluctance of local drivers to take vehicles to Goa, it has become difficult for us to despatch the vegetables to Goa. However, a decision in this regard will be taken on Tuesday,” he added.
Meanwhile, private vegetable suppliers to Goa said they had asked Goan traders to collect vegetables from Belagavi as most of the local transport owners, including their drivers, have expressed inability to transport vegetables to Goa due to uncertain circumstances both in Karnataka and Goa.
“We have asked traders to send Goa-registered vehicles as Karnataka-registered vehicles are likely to face problems while entering Goa,” a leading private supplier said.
Considering the uncertainty of supplies from Belagavi and high profit margins involved in supply of vegetables to Goa, many Goan vehicles are proceeding to villages in Belagavi and are picking vegetables directly from local farmers.
“Traders from Goa have now directly contacted the farmers and have begun
visiting villages around Belagavi to purchase vegetables directly from farmers. This is a win-win situation for farmers and Goan traders alike, as farmers can sell their bumper crops, while Goan traders get vegetables at the lowest possible rates, as there are no middlemen or agents in this process,” said a trader.
“Cabbage, cauliflower and other vegetables are available at a throwaway rate. For example, cabbage is available at a meager rate of Rs 2-3 a kilo, cauliflower at Rs 4-5 a piece and green chilli at Rs 1-2 a kilo.”
“There is a huge profit margin for Goan traders as these vegetables are sold at a much higher price at retail vegetable shops in Goa. Hence, the highly lucrative profit margin involved in getting vegetables from farmers directly has compelled Goan traders to visit Belagavi villages and purchase vegetables directly and this trend which is expected to continue,” the trader added.
