Bitter Gourd Yield Plummets in South 24 Parganas After a Decade, Farmers Seek Solutions

• Bitter gourd yield has significantly dropped in Namkhana, South 24 Parganas, mirroring a situation last seen in 2013.
• Farmers attribute the low yield to unusually cold temperatures, impacting plant growth and seed germination.
• Despite the shortage, wholesale prices have soared to ₹100 per kilogram this year, a stark contrast to ₹4 per kilogram last year.
• Dr. Hirak Bandyopadhyay explains that temperatures below 15°C severely damage bitter gourd cultivation, which requires 18°C for germination and 24-27°C for growth.
• The crisis affects varieties like Pragati, Bipasha-2, Pakhi, Meghna, and Moynaburi, typically sown after Aman paddy harvest.