Effect of whole sale market rate of major fruits and vegetables during lockdown period Covid-19 in Lakhimpur –Kheri

A survey has been conducted regarding the market rate of vegetable and fruit in whole sale market by KVK, Lakhimpur- Kheri during lockdown period COVID-19. The survey was done at NAVEEN KRISHI MANDI, Lakhimpur-Kheri on 20 vegetables Potato, Tomato, Chilli (green), Chilli (red), Capsicum, Bringal, Mushroom, Lemon, Onion, Garlic, Pumpkin, bottle gourd, Bitter gourd, Pointed gourd, Cucumber,  Oea, Bean, Okra, Zinger, Sugar beet  and 10 fruits viz. Grape, Orange, Apple, Pomegranate, Water melon, Musk melon, Mosambi, Pineapple, Banana, and Papaya. The market rate was observed during JANUARY, FEBDUARY, MARCH and APRIL 2020 and compared it with the rate of last year 2019 of same months. It has been observed that overall rate of vegetable was 27.06 % and 45.47 % lesser in MARCH and APRIL 2020 ,respectively, during lockdown period as compared to last year 2019 in same months. The maximum rate (72.75%) was reduces in capsicum fallowed by pumpkin (69.23%), bottle gourd (66.67%), tomato (66.67%), and minimum rate (16.66%) in potato was affected during this period. Similar trend was also observed in fruit rate. It was reduces 22.89% in MARCH and 45.15% in APRIL 2020 lockdown period as compared to last year 2019 in same months. The maximum rate (58.18%) was reduced in water melon, followed by grapes (57.14%), pineapple (55.00%), pomegranate (54.17%), orange (52.0%) and minimum (11.11%) rate was reduces in banana. It is interested to note that buyers were increased during this period in whole sale market.  This might be due to decreases the employment in other sector though agriculture sector has more opportunities during stress condition of country.