Vijayawada: Cauliflower farmers in Krishna and NTR districts are celebrating a bumper harvest, marking a significant turnaround after three years of struggle due to pest attacks and adverse weather conditions. Vibrant cauliflower carts have become a common sight on the streets of Vijayawada as farmers adopt innovative marketing strategies to bypass brokers and secure better profits.
Traditionally cultivated during the rainy season in areas like Vuyyur, Kankipadu, and Gudivada, the cauliflower crop is ready for harvest by early November. Despite heavy rains in August and September that submerged many areas, the yield this year surged. Farmers in regions like Vuyyur report a 150% increase in production compared to 2023.
“This year’s harvest was exceptional,” said K Nagababu, a farmer from Thotlavallur. “Although 40% of farmers stopped growing cauliflower due to pest issues, those who persisted are seeing high demand in cities like Vijayawada, Guntur, and Machilipatnam.”
However, the sudden influx of produce led to price drops in the market, with brokers offering as little as 6 per cauliflower. In response, farmers partnered with the agriculture marketing department to set up roadside stalls in towns such as Vijayawada, Mangalagiri, and Gudivada, selling directly to consumers at 25 per cauliflower. “This ensures up to 15 profit per flower after transportation costs,” explained Battula Suribabu, a farmer from Kothuru Tadepalli.
Additionally, some farmers formed producer organisations, enabling them to export cauliflowers to cities like Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Chennai, further boosting their earnings.
