CHANGING CONTOURS

CHANGING CONTOURS
Bangalore is fast expanding and suburbs are witnessing rapid development. However, the thriving real estate sector has pushed horticulture farther away from the city limits, affecting prices of fruits and vegetables
Prashanth G N | TNN

Bangalore: Bangalore’s fruits and vegetables are no more sourced from just outside the city limits as they once were. The horticulture department estimates that land under cultivation for fruits and vegetables has shrunk roughly by 30% over the past three years. This means that horticulture is slowly but surely moving further away from the city limits.
Department director J K Vasanth Kumar told STOI: “The number of people growing vegetables and the quantity grown are declining. The city once got its stock from within a 10-km radius. Now, the radius has expanded to 30-40 km. Farmers from as far as Kolar, Malur, Bagepalli, Bangarpet, Gauribidanur, Tumkur and Devenahalli are transporting vegetables and fruits to the city by trucks, vans and buses,’’ he said.
The department attributes this trend to the real estate boom in peri-urban and suburban areas. “Land rates around Bangalore have gone up. We have noticed that most farmers are waiting to get their land converted — or have already done so — to revenue land. Why cultivate when they can get a lump sum amount for the same piece of land, is their logic,” he added.
Such conversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural is a direct fallout of the increase in real estate rates. The department has also noticed farmers selling land closer to the city, to purchase fresh agricultural land farther away. This explains why vegetables are now grown as far away as Kolar and Bagepalli.
Whether this has resulted in a shortage of vegetables in the city has not yet been systematically studied. But what is certain is that it has contributed to the rise in price of vegetables. “The lesser you grow, higher the price. Farmers have to pay for transport too. The selling price takes all this into account. It is not the sole reason for the price rise, but definitely a significant one,” Kumar added.
The department is faced with the task of promoting horticulture under such challenging circumstances. Cultivation improves the ecology but who is to decide what benefits a farmer more — growing fruits and vegetables or selling land. “What can we do when the city develops in such a way that land becomes a monetary asset?’’ officials ask.
They point out that those who have been in the trade for long have survived and lead a fairly decent life. “They have survived the malls and retail outlets too that sell vegetables at throwaway prices. It means the market is good and horticulture ensures more than mere livelihood. But the farmers’ decision to sell land is not within our control. All we can say is that horticulture is not loss-making,” Kumar added.
However, the positive side of the trend is the opportunity it presents to farmers in towns like Bagepalli, Gouribidanur, Kolar, Tumkur, Malur and Bangarpet. They realize that vegetables can be sold in Bangalore at a good price and are ready to invest more in cultivation. Many have even set up transport businesses.
Officials say only a long-term trend can indicate whether Bangalore will face a shortage of vegetables. As of now, the demand and supply are at a healthy balance and the moving away of horticultural activity has only contributed marginally to higher prices of vegetables.
Industry challenges
Another challenge for horticulturists is preventing industry from entering suburban areas. With industry, comes promises of guaranteed employment and better standard of living, and a subsequent rise in land rates. The horticulture department will welcome the agro-industry to complement horticulture, but is not willing to take a call on others.
TEMPTATION to sell land
Development of airport near Devanahalli has affected horticulture in the area
Industry belts around Whitefield, Hosur, Bommasandra have had the same effect
Grant of land by KIADB for industry and infrastructure has led to rise in land rates in peri-urban and suburban areas