Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026: Nilgiris carrot farmers face crisis as costs rise, prices crash

The carrot-based agricultural economy in the Nilgiris district is facing growing financial stress as farmers struggle with labour shortages, falling market prices and increasing production costs.

Carrot cultivation is a major livelihood driver in the hill region, with annual production exceeding 83,000 tonnes across roughly 2,600 hectares. Thousands of small and marginal farmers depend on carrot farming as a primary source of income.

However, growers report that profits have sharply declined due to market volatility. Produce arriving from neighbouring regions such as Bengaluru and surrounding areas has increased supply in local markets, pushing prices downward.

Farmers are also facing rising costs of fertilisers, transportation and cultivation inputs, making carrot farming increasingly less profitable. Many small farmers say they are forced to transport their harvest to distant wholesale markets in search of better prices, which further increases logistical expenses.

Labour shortage has emerged as one of the biggest challenges. Seasonal agricultural workers are becoming harder to hire, forcing farmers to either reduce cultivation or depend on costlier labour arrangements.

With the Tamil Nadu assembly elections approaching, carrot growers in Nilgiris are urging political leaders to address their concerns. They are demanding minimum support price protection for carrots, subsidised high-quality seeds and fertilisers, and policy measures to tackle labour scarcity.

Farmers argue that without sustained government intervention, debt levels could rise and the carrot farming economy, which supports a significant population in the hill region, may face long-term decline.

Agricultural experts say that stable pricing mechanisms and rural labour reforms could help protect hill agriculture. The outcome of policy discussions during the election period is expected to influence the future of carrot cultivation in the Nilgiris region.