Kolar, 20 Dec

Amid the fog in Kolar, avarekai (Hyacinth Beans) has taken over the markets. Avarekai, a seasonal favourite for many in the State, has engulfed the roadside vegetable markets of Kolar and Srinivasapur taluks as people throng to Ambedkar park on Tekal road, Sharada Talkies in Kataripalya and other such areas to purchase the vegetable.

Sold at around Rs 80 per kg, avarekai is grown in at least 5,500 acres of land in Kolar district as a mixed crop.

Srinath, a trader at Kolar said avarekai has been ruling the market as the demand for other vegetables has gone down considerably in the last three or so weeks. Some vegetables which were sold at around Rs 70 per kilogram are now being sold at around Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kilogram thanks to the demand for avarekai, he said. 

Many farmers who grew other vegetables are now selling their produce on ‘mixed vegetable’ basis priced at Rs 100 for 2kgs in Kolar.

Farmers reported a bountiful yield this year, unlike the previous year where untimely rains lashed several parts of the State – including Kolar – and ruined the harvest.

Venkatesh, a lecturer in Kolar, said that his family loves several dishes featuring avarekai and hve already begun purchasing the crop.

Some farmers believe that the agricultural department should take steps to popularise the crop, arguing that the demand for the bean has been increasing in the recent part.

Notably, avarekai is not sold at the Kolar APMC yard, Agricultural Produce Market Committee authorities said.