May 8, Kathmandu - The largest vegetable market in the Kathmandu Valley, has declined by 50 percent after the government issued a restraining order in the Kathmandu Valley to prevent covid 19.

Before the locksewa was issued, only 950 metric tonnes of vegetables were imported daily, but now only 400 to 500 metric tonnes of vegetables are coming to the Kalimati fruit and vegetable market. In a market that normally has an economic turnover of Rs 20 to 30 million, there has been a decline in the turnover and sale of vegetables.

Although the prices of vegetables have come down, the prices have not gone up. Although the selling price usually goes up as soon as there is a shortage of vegetables, this time the price has also come down due to the decrease in the number of consumers buying vegetables. The number of wholesale buyers and retailers of vegetables has come down by 50 percent in the vegetable market. The Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Committee has stated that the business has come down after the government banned the public from walking and fixed a fixed time for buying and selling vegetables.

At present, 60 percent Nepali products and 40 percent Indian products come to the Kalimati vegetable market. Seasonal vegetables including bodi, bean, ghiroula, and gourd are produced in Nepal, while fish, lemon, potato and onion are imported from India. The committee, in coordination with the local level, has made arrangements to bring vegetables to Kalimati at any time. But for buying and selling, the time has been fixed from 1 pm to 9 am.

Earlier, farmers and businessmen used to bring vegetables to Kalimati Bazaar from 3 pm. Farmers, growers and businessmen have extended the night time for buying and selling vegetables but traders have complained that they could not arrive on time. Shiva Krishna Khadki, a trader who has been selling vegetables at the Kali mati Vegetable Market since 2052 BS, said that it was unfortunate that the time was fixed for buying and selling vegetables as the green vegetables could not be sold on time. He said that after the ban, the price of green vegetables has come down by 50 per cent and the number of traders and consumers has also come down.

The committee has pasted a pamphlet urging to adopt health vigilance standards in the market place. Similarly, hand washing with soap and water has also been arranged.