The long and heavy monsoon has taken a toll on Himachal Pradesh’s vegetable production, say farmers.
The production of tomato, capsicum, cabbage, potato and cucumber, among other vegetables, is significantly lower this time.
The excess rain has either triggered the spread of diseases or the standing crops have simply rotted away due to excess moisture, say farmers.
Vegetables are largely grown in the mid-hills of the state which fall in Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Mandi, Kullu and Bilaspur districts.
The hill state supplies vegetables to markets across northern India.But the shortage this time has already shot up the prices.
According to an estimate by the state agriculture department, at least 60 per cent of the tomato crop has been destroyed.The maximum damage was done by the heavy spell of rain less than a week ago.
"The production of vegetables this time is expected to be 550,000 tonnes whereas the target is 650,000 tonnes" said J C Rana, director, state agriculture department.