Pune: In a month filled with market highs and crop losses, August proved both prosperous and challenging for farmers in Junnar, Narayangaon. Coriander and fenugreek farmers experienced a surge in market prices, with some reporting profits of up to ₹5 lakh per acre.
The Junnar Agricultural Produce Market Committee recorded a turnover of ₹9.77 crore for August, with coriander fetching up to ₹200 per bundle and fenugreek up to ₹54. However, continuous rainfall during the Kharif season caused significant crop damage, reducing yields by 50% to 60% for many farmers.
Coriander and fenugreek are staple crops for small and medium-scale farmers in the region, typically harvested three to four times a year. While favorable weather during the Rabi and summer seasons can yield up to 5,000 bundles per acre, the unpredictable monsoon has often led to severe crop losses.
Farmers supply coriander to major markets in Mumbai and Pune, but the risk of spoilage and damage is always a concern during the rainy season.
The Narayangaon sub-market, part of the Junnar Agricultural Produce Market Committee, emerged as a key auction hub for coriander and fenugreek. On average, 3 to 4 lakh bundles are sold daily, with auctions held in the evening. As a result of the rain, supply decreased drastically in August, leading to record prices for the available produce.
By mid-August, prices began to surge, with coriander selling between ₹101 and ₹3,300 per quintal and fenugreek between ₹301 and ₹3,901 per quintal.
By the end of the month, prices for coriander reached a staggering ₹11,000 per quintal, and fenugreek touched ₹4,000 per quintal, making it one of the highest-earning months for farmers in recent years. The trend continued into early September, with prices still holding strong.
Despite the market boom, many farmers are still grappling with losses due to weather conditions, raising concerns about the unpredictability of farming during the Kharif season.
