Profile

Garlic Market in Mettupalayam

Tuesday, 28 December 2010 16:13

Tags: and Gundalpet | Karnataka | Thimbam & Asanur

THE GARLIC MARKET IN METTUPALAYAM

The arrival of garlic to Mettupalayam Mundies has been going on for the last 50 plus years from various hamlets (attis) and villages in the Nilgiris, Karnataka, Thimbam & Asanur (Hilly area on the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka), and Gundalpet. The garlic arrivals from the Nilgiris area is considered to be the premium quality due to its climatic conditional and rich soil. The price of Nilagiri garlic commands an average premium of Rs.5 over the other grades from other parts of the country.

The approximate amount of garlic arrivals in Mettupalayam are about 1000 - 3000 bags during the peak season (Jan - May, and Aug - Nov) and about 100 - 300 bags in the off season (Jun - Jul and Dec - Jan). The local retailers (approx 7) are all supplied from these mundies. The maximum storage period for this item is about 3 months. If dried (sun), the garlic turns into seed and is used for further planting. Cold storage of this item is done as it is not conducive for storage.

The garlic seeds from Nilgiris is used in other states due to its premium quality and ability to fetch a good price once harvested. The garlic is bagged in 70kgs bags and 35kgs for retails sale.

Add new comment

History of Mettupalayam

Friday, 16 April 2010 00:00

Mettupalayam (Tamil: மேட்டுப்பாளையம்) was inhabited by its settlers primarily because of River Bhavani. The name Mettupalayam came about due to its ups and downs. Medum, pallamum as its called contributed to the name Mettupalayam. Mettupalayam was a very small place in the earlier days and was surrounded by thick forests in the western ghats. This destination (Mettupalayam) then became a starting point for the East India company to enter into the Nilgiris. Initially a small path was organised and all materials and supply was transported on horse and animal back. Then came the historic Niligiri Mountain Railway (NMR) that was completed in 1899. This train was powered by a steam engine and had 2 passenger compartments and 1 good carriage. The track for this train was laid using the timber from the local forests and people from Mettupalayam were instrumental in the laying of this track. The vegetables that the British introduced in the Niligiris such as Potato, Cabbage,Carrot, Cauliflower, Beans, Beetroot and Raddish were harvested in Niligiris and brought to Mettupalayam for further grading, distribution and transportation. This is how Mettupalayam was known for its transport and commission mundies. The Commission mundies in Mettupalayam is historic for its strategic importance in the Potato market in South India.

Potato Market

Tuesday, 08 December 2009 13:08

Mettupalayam is one of the major trading centres in India.

Potato is a major food crop, grown in more than 100 countries in the world and it is one of the major commercial crops grown in India. India ranks third by contributing around 7.5% to the world’s production. During 2006-07, 27 million tonnes was produced in an area of about 1.5 million ha. However, potato consumption per capita in India (14.8 kg/head/year) is one of the lowest in the world and hardly one percent of the potato is processed.

Potato is a major vegetable widely consumed throughout Tamil Nadu whereas it is grown only in the hilly regions of Dindigul (2796 ha), Nilgiri (1950 ha), Krishnagiri (131 ha) and Erode (126 ha) districts.

Introduction

Thursday, 24 September 2009 00:00

Mettupalayam (Tamil: மேட்டுப்பாளையம்) is in the midst of an endless spread of Arecanut plantations with buzzing bees, scenic huge nilgiri mountains, a canopy of forest trees and fauna covered by fresh dew, gently flowing clouds, a fresh soothing breeze, Tall coconut trees bearing bunches in plenty, banana cultivation amidst beautiful creepers, that appear like a foothill draped with green silk carpet and blessed for prosperity with Bhavani River is what is called Mettupalayam.