Shimla
Farmers in the lower regions of Junga are busy harvesting garlic as excavation work gathers pace across several panchayats of the area. Despite intense heat, farmers can be seen working tirelessly in the fields, digging and sorting garlic crops for dispatch to markets across the country.
This season has brought relief and optimism for growers as garlic prices have witnessed a significant rise compared to last year. On Thursday, garlic was sold in the Solan Vegetable Market at rates ranging between ₹60 and ₹150 per kilogram, bringing encouraging returns for cultivators.
Although the crop had matured nearly two weeks ago, continuous rainfall and storms delayed harvesting operations. According to the Agriculture Department, nearly 20 percent of the crop has suffered damage this year due to untimely weather conditions. Progressive farmers including Daulat Ram Mehta, Jabar Singh Thakur, Chanchal Verma and Harish Thakur said excessive moisture in the fields caused garlic bulbs to darken in colour while also affecting their size and quality. In several areas, disease outbreaks further damaged the standing crop.
Garlic cultivation has expanded rapidly in the lower belts of Junga, much like the neighbouring Giripar region of Sirmaur district. Garlic produced in this belt is in high demand in Chennai, considered one of the country’s largest garlic trading hubs, from where it is further exported to international markets. The crop is also widely used in the manufacturing of Ayurvedic medicines, adding to its commercial value.
According to official data, garlic is cultivated on nearly 137 hectares in the lower areas of Shimla district, producing around 1,406 metric tonnes annually. Within the district, major garlic-producing blocks include Mashobra, Basantpur, Rampur and the Nerwa region of Chaupal, where the Parvati variety is predominantly grown.
