Monsoon rains in Bengaluru, India, have caused severe damage to the avarakei (also known as Indian broad beans or hyacinth beans), NewsFirst Prime reports. This loss leaves farmers and consumers in dire straits.
What happened?
According to NewsFirst Prime, the price of this popular Indian staple has increased to 80 to 400 rupees per kilogram (approximately $1.96 to 9.75 per pound) due to reduced supply.
Some customers who normally buy in bulk during the winter peak season are now buying less or not buying at all.
“So far, a [kilogram] The price of avarekai should stabilize around 40 to 50 rupees [$0.45 to $0.55]. But still a whopping Rs 80 [$0.89]”, Neelamma, a Bengaluru-based avarakei vendor, told The Hindu.
NewsFirst also noted that the retail price of chicken drumsticks (the moringa seed pods used in many regional dishes) has increased recently.
Due to monsoon rains in 2025, the price of chicken legs last December was about 600 rupees per kilogram (about $14.63 per pound). According to News18, in November, the price of a kilogram of chicken legs ranged from 150 to 200 rupees (approximately $3.65 to $4.88).
Why are soaring vegetable prices in India worrying?
Farmers rely on reliable crop yields to generate income and put food on the table.
Their balance of payments is facing challenges as erratic weather affects harvests of staple vegetables. Even with government support and climate-resilient agriculture strategies, this may not be enough. Less supply means consumers pay more for groceries and may have to visit multiple stores to find what they need.
News18 also reported that chicken drumsticks are important in meeting the nutritional needs of many people in India, especially children and senior citizens. Given the high cost of this vegetable, households may have to substitute it with other produce that is less nutrient dense.
India is one of the countries most affected by extreme weather events due to its geographical location, high population density and socio-economic factors. Heavy monsoon rains in 2025 also caused farmers to suffer massive losses in grape and chilli varieties.
What can be done to help?
“The Hindu” noted that favorable weather conditions are helping the Awarekei crop recover, so the market should replenish stocks as soon as possible. According to News18, some families and restaurants are temporarily switching to cheaper and more readily available vegetables. However, this change affected certain rituals and festive activities.
Domestically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture advises farmers to rotate crops to mitigate severe damage and increase flood resilience. Crop rotation is also an “important traditional agricultural system” in India, according to the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, an Indian think tank. A group of women in India found that installing solar-powered water pumps for crop irrigation helped them increase food production, support farmers and become financially independent.
One of the best ways to help farmers around the world ensure food security and economic stability is to buy food locally whenever possible. Switching to energy-efficient appliances and vehicles can also help, which can help cool the planet and save money on utility bills.
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