Ragi ready for harvest; high-price tur has low yield

The tur yield is low although the price is high. In Mulbagal, farmers are waiting to harvest the ragi crop.

Tur growers in Srinivaspur are at a loss despite the crop fetching a bumper price this year. Scanty rain has brought down the yield.

Tur can withstand low moisture and hence is being grown in the taluk for years. However, the crop is rain-dependent in the taluk due to absence of any irrigation facility.

Alternative crop
It is usually sown soon after the first showers of the monsoon. Tur is also used as an alternative to cow pea.

Tur harvest has begun early this year and the crop is being offloaded into the market. However, the quantity is not at the expected level since plants withered for want of rain. Each kilo of tur is fetching Rs 25 to Rs 30 in the market.

However, the prices of other vegetables too have skyrocketed. None of the vegetable is available for less than Rs 20 a kilo. The price of beans has gone up to Rs 40 a kilo. Tomato is the only exception to the trend.

In Mulbagal

Farmers who were anxiously waiting for the good yield, are now happy that the crop is ready for harvesting. Ragi can be stored even for two to three years. Farmers store some stock for household use and sow some for the next yield.

“Old ragi tastes good when cooked,” said a farmer here. Ragi is the significant crop in this region. With timely rainfall, the crop has had a better yield this year.