Seasonal Budam Pandlu Fruits Draw Many Buyers In Adilabad
The fruits are available in different sizes during this period every year: Reports
ADILABAD: Seasonal Budam Pandlu, which grow naturally in agricultural fields, are drawing a lot of buyers here during their seasonal availability. Adivasis sell the fruits at a few points along NH 44 and in Adilabad town.
The fruits are available in different sizes during this period every year. They are initially green and later turn yellow. The yellow fruits develop cracks and emit a sweet smell.
Adivasi woman Sedmaki Sharada of Malebhorigoan in Adilabad Rural mandal said these fruits are naturally grown without any use of pesticides and fertilizers (Mandhulu Leni Panta). “We simply sprinkle the seeds (Challdam) in our agricultural fields of cotton, red gram and soya. The fruits grow naturally with the rains.”
The fruits are harvested from August to October and sold them in towns and along the NH- 44.
Mesram Renuka Bai of KB Colony in Adilabad Rural mandal said they sell the fruits for ₹20 to ₹ 50 each, depending on their size.
Ushanna of Tilaknagar in Adilabad said he buys and eats the fruits every season. These, he said, are softer and tastier when sugar is added. Juice can also be prepared from them.
Adivasi women were seen using online barcode scanners for transactions as many buyers now prefer online payments.
The Kolam and Gond adivasis, along with some non-tribals from Malebhorigoan, Garkampet, Waghapur, Chinthaguda and Malkapur in Gudihathnoor mandal and Mallapur in Indravelli mandal, grow the fruits in their agricultural fields and sell them at Komaram Bheem Chowrasta in Adilabad town and at a few places along NH-44.
Many people travelling towards Gudihathnoor on NH-44 from Adilabad stop at the Mekalagandi crossing to buy the fruits from roadside sellers.