Farmers in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara are facing a unique situation as the price of Garlic has soared to record levels. To protect their valuable produce, farmers have resorted to innovative measures, such as installing CCTV cameras in their fields.

Farmers Enjoy Mixed Emotions

The skyrocketing prices of garlic, reaching as high as ₹400 to ₹500 per kilogram, have left farmers feeling a mix of joy and distress. While the high prices promise significant returns, farmers are also concerned about the safety of their crops.

Garlic Price
Image: NDTV

Success Stories of Garlic Cultivators

Rahul Deshmukh, a garlic cultivator, invested ₹25 lakh in garlic cultivation across 13 acres of land. He has already sold garlic worth nearly ₹1 crore and expects more returns as the harvest continues. Deshmukh attributes part of his success to the installation of CCTV cameras in his fields, which helped protect his high-investment crops.

Innovative Measures for Crop Protection

Deshmukh utilized solar-powered cameras for monitoring his fields, finding them to be an affordable solution for safeguarding his crops. He installed three CCTV cameras covering 4 acres of garlic crops. Similarly, Pawan Chaudhary from Badnoor spent ₹4 lakh on his 4-acre garlic crop and managed to reap a profit of ₹6 lakh. Chaudhary also installed CCTV cameras to monitor his fields, preventing theft and ensuring the safety of his crops.

Escalating Garlic Prices

Farmers note that while the annual price of garlic typically hovers around ₹80 per kilogram, this season has seen an unprecedented escalation in prices, surpassing ₹300 per kilogram. This significant increase in prices has led to substantial profits for garlic cultivators, marking a unique and profitable season for them.

Impact on Garlic Farmers

The surge in garlic prices has had a significant impact on the livelihoods of garlic farmers in the region. Many farmers have been able to generate substantial income from their garlic crops, providing them with financial stability and security.

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