Green gram price shoots up

Green gram price shoots up

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Dec 23: The demand for green gram has come down, following the recent hike in the price of one kg of green gram from Rs 50 to Rs 80. Last June, green gram cost Rs 50 per kg and before that, it was only Rs 35 per kg. 

Wholesale dealers say that around 7 bags or 50 kgs of green gram could be sold in those days. Now, selling even 2 bags of green gram is a difficult task. Even the local hotels have stopped making dishes out of green gram. 

The cause for the sudden rise in the price of green gram is because of the recent floods. Currently, green gram imported from countries such as Burma and China is entering the local markets. Polished by the chief distribution centres of Mangalore, this green gram looks more attractive than the locally produced green gram. 

Although green gram can be grown in DK, farmers are reluctant to do so because of lack of laborers. Green gram can be harvested 3 - 4 times per year. The agriculture department says that cultivation of green gram should be encouraged. 

Besides, green gram is very nutritious and has medicinal properties too. Doctors say that green gram prevents and cures certain diseases such as typhoid, chicken pox, and cholera. Green gram is also used in soaps and as a beautifying agent.