Mulky: If not for the lockdown, Teresa D’Souza, a 63-year-old farmer’s dreams of purchasing a few things for her home would have been an attainable goal.
This year, Teresa and her daughter Reshma had a good yield of various vegetables. The lush green field had borne good quality Ash Pumpkins, but to their dismay, the lockdown was imposed and their dreams were crushed.
Speaking to newskarnataka.com, Reshma says that this is the first time that they are facing a problem like this.
“Every year, during this season, our produce is purchased by temples, hostels, caterers etc. and we have managed to have a decent life. This is year too, we expected the same, but now we are left in a lurch due to the lockdown,” she said, adding that after a picture of the ash pumpkins piled up under their tent went viral, the horticulture department called them up and promised all help to sell the produce.
“With social media, the world has become a small place. Over the last few days, we have been getting calls. But, they are asking us to send it to Mangaluru, which is not viable for us when the order is for ten to 15 days. We will end up spending Rs 500-Rs 700 just for transportation,” she said, adding that they are only worried about a loan of Rs 20,000 that they had raised from a local Self Help Group.
“We live in this remote village called Balkunje in Mulky and our farmland is miles away from our home. A lot of money is spent to harvest the crops and bring it home,” says Reshma, who is optimistic that through the horticulture department and social media, their produce will be sold off.
The mother-daughter duo is willing to sell their produce at Rs 15 per kg.
Those interested to help the mother-daughter duo can contact- Reshma-9902232576
