A mixed bag: Sale of beans takes a hit as drought gives low quality yield

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: As the winter season set in, Avarekkai in all baskets have spread across the kitchens of Bengaluru.

With Sankranti in mind, Avarekkai Pongal becomes a much lipped and much devoured recipe to be enjoyed.

However, produce for the same has been through a tumultuous drought, vendors across the city say.

Veeramani, who hails from Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu, admitted that the produce has had low quality since last year.

“The rains have disappointed us,” he said.

Avarrekai's, also known as flat beans, require a ,out of water while growing. With meagre rainfall during the growth period from July to August, sellers have had a difficult time in sales.

At Gandhi Bazaar, sellers have had a mixed response. A seller who claims to hail from Magadi, also admitted that sales from 2023 have reduced.

Another seller, who gets her produce from K R Market, claims that the quality has not gone down.

“Diffferent varieties follow different ways to grow, and the medium sized beans have come out well,” they said.

Last October, the Karnataka Government announced 216 taluks as drought hit. As farming in the state took a massive hit, farmers face a tough time.