In Mysuru, the price of ginger has drastically dropped from Rs 5,000-6,000 per 60kg bag last year to just Rs 800-900 this season, severely impacting the earnings of farmers. As the harvest approaches, experts predict that the price could fall even further. Last year, ginger prices reached a historic high of Rs 9,000 per 60kg bag, sparking a surge in ginger theft incidents. This year, however, demand has sharply declined, leaving many farmers struggling.
Farmers explain that while prices were modest last year, the current fall in prices is so steep that it won’t even cover the labor costs for harvesting. In the Old Mysuru region, ginger cultivation is widespread, with many farmers being outsiders who lease paddy fields on a yearly basis. It typically takes eight months for ginger to grow, but this long cycle is now being undermined by low prices.
Hosur Kumar, a member of the Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha and a ginger grower, expressed frustration at the lack of price regulation. “There’s no established market for ginger here. Traders from other states set their own prices, often leaving farmers unpaid,” he said.
Growers are calling on both state and central governments to introduce a system that will help stabilize the market and ensure fair prices for their produce.
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