April 2020, South Asia

The success story scripted by farmers of exotic vegetables in Himachal Pradesh is facing a disruption due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown. The demand for the produce has plummeted, forcing most farmers to throw away the crops or feed them to cattle.

“We are thinking of handing over our produce to local gurdwaras. That way, they can be fed to the poor at least,” said Manoj Verma, a farmer from Solan district.

Till a few months ago, vegetables such broccoli, red and yellow capsicum, lettuce and red radish were being sold at high prices in the metros. Cut to present, many farmers are giving away all their produce to vegetable vendors asking them to let people take them for free.

“The produce is highly dependent on the travel and tourism industry. They are served in five-star hotels and other high-end eating joints. The lockdown has sounded the death knell for hotel and tourism industry for at least the next few months. The markets for the produce, too, have crashed,” added Verma.