Garlic glut: Sirmaur farmers face financial crisis as prices dip

Garlic farmers across Sirmaur district are grappling with growing anxiety as prices in major markets across the country continue to decline sharply. For the past three years, farmers in this region had benefited from favourable garlic rates, prompting them to cultivate and store large quantities this season in the hope of good returns.

However, since the harvest in April, prices have remained stagnant between Rs 25 to Rs 70 per kg — a significant drop from the Rs 110 to Rs 255 per kg that garlic fetched in previous years. With both May and June gone and no signs of market improvement in July, thousands of tonnes of garlic lie stored in homes and makeshift facilities across various villages, including Ronhat, Jashwi, Halahan, Shillai, Timbbi, Sarahan, Narag, Mangarh, Naya-Panjore, Rajgarh, Giripul, Nohradhar, Sangrah, Haripurdhar, Kaffota and Nainidhar.

Sirmaur district witnesses garlic trade worth over Rs 1,000 crore annually, making it a significant contributor to the region’s rural economy. But this year, due to the unremunerative prices, farmers fear they may not even recover the cost of cultivation, let alone earn wages for their hard work. Many are now staring at severe losses.

The looming monsoon has further intensified farmers’ worries. Stored garlic, if not sold in time, runs the risk of spoilage due to moisture. Moreover, germination during storage in humid conditions is another real threat, which could render the crop unfit for sale.

“Last year, AAA-grade garlic sold for Rs 165 to Rs 255 per kg in markets like Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Gujrat. This year, despite good quality, there are no buyers at even half that price,” said Bilam Dhamta, a farmer from Bindoli village in Ronhat.

Another concern is the natural weight loss garlic undergoes the longer it is stored, leading to reduced returns even if prices rise later. With farmers having invested heavily in garlic cultivation and storage, many fear significant financial losses if market conditions do not improve soon.

Local agricultural bodies and farmer groups are urging state and central authorities to intervene by facilitating government procurement, creating buffer stocks, or enabling better access to markets. Without immediate relief, the situation could lead to both economic distress and long-term discouragement for garlic cultivation in the region.

Himachal Tribune