The country is worried of the price rise. Harendra had asked for only a small eggplant or baigan. I saw that green vegetable, broccoli that I loved and hated. I went ahead without picking one up though it was lush green indicating it freshness.

I loved it as I liked it and hated as it was vegetable beyond reach. But when I was coming out of the store, I saw by chance a poster hanging in that Safal’s outlet. ‘Exotic Broccoli Rs 25 a kg’. I got surprised. I returned back and reconfirmed. Some persons volunteered information. “The farmers have got the bumper crop. It’s selling Rs 10-15 with vendors on road.”

I used to see only few broccolis with one or two vendors in weekly bazaar on Sunday in front of my house in Noida. Price would be Rs 60-90 per kg. Is it not interesting providing the answer for Manmohan Singh or Pranab babu, if not for Sharad Pawar who hardly bothers about anything but sugarcanes that has sweetened his life till date.

Let the ministers realize the potential of mother earth and the hardworking farmers. Encourage the growers. Pay the right price. All inflation will vanish in air. The case of broccoli can be repeated for anything, be it onion or milk.

India can produce five times of what it produces today. Why should not the government focus on providing the inputs instead of putting all its brainpower in discovering or minting excuses for the inflation and price rise that go in a cycle; sometimes it will be onion, sometimes pulses and sometimes oil.

I only fear the poor farmers must be morose with the crash of the price of broccoli. They will hardly get any return. They would never have thought of getting this poor a price. I am sure they will not grow it next time.

For information, the price of brinjal or baigan was Rs 40 a kg.

It is unfortunate that we don’t get Indian apples and pears any more. Even if you find some, the price will be around Rupees hundred a kg or more. But imported apples, pears and many other fruits are today easily available though at high prices. But the quality appears to be so good that one gets tempted to buy it compromising with quantity. Perhaps, the imported fruits have increased the prices of the local stuffs too.

Is this the price of globalization and free trade?
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PS Price of broccoli still remains Rs 25 per kg even on January 31, 2011