Jowar prices hit all-time high in Karnataka amid drought conditions
Prices for the Maldandi variety of jowar reached up to ₹9,200 per quintal in some instances, according to The Hindu.
Jowar prices have surged in Karnataka amid drought conditions, reaching levels described by farmers and experts as the highest in recent times, according to The Hindu.
In Vijayapura and Kalaburagi districts, APMC merchants reported that the Maldandi variety of jowar rose from ₹5,500 per quintal in September to ₹8,500 per quintal currently. Last week, the Maldandi variety reached ₹9,200 per quintal, while the Gundu Thene variety reached ₹9,000 per quintal.
Assistant Director of APMC Kalaburagi Santosh Budge said that while prices have fluctuated for over a decade, this is the first time prices have reached ₹9,000-9,200 per quintal. He stated he believes prices will hover between ₹8,500 and ₹9,500 and might reach ₹10,000.
Agriculture Department data shows kharif season sowing achieved 0.42 lakh hectares against a target of 0.80 lakh hectares. This represents 53 per cent of the target, compared to 0.39 lakh hectares sown against a 0.54 lakh hectare target last year.
Department officials and experts noted that drought is a major reason for the increase. Other factors include the fixed Minimum Support Price and the fact that most other crops are mechanised, whereas jowar is not.
Joint Director of the Agriculture Department in Vijayapura district Shivanagouda Patil said farmers have lost interest in cultivation due to a lack of mechanisation. He noted the Minimum Support Price for jowar is ₹4,073 per quintal, compared to ₹8,450 per quintal for toor.