POOR MAN'S APPLE: Custard apples being sold on the road between Ramanthapur and Uppal in city. Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

HYDERABAD: The parked bullock carts spread a delicious fragrance across the road. And they are in loads in every major thoroughfare in the city inviting connoisseurs of fruits. Come October and as the winter chill starts setting in, custard apples swarm the city and this year is no different.

Hundreds of bullock carts with heavy loads of the fruit are stationed in a majority roads that lead to residential colonies. Passers-by invariably stop and enjoy the sweet fruit apart from buying in loads. Considered to be the poor man's apple, the delectable fruit is a must buy for everyone given its seasonal nature and taste.

Good yield

The fruit comes to the city from neighbouring districts like Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda, Medak and Mahabubnagar where it grows on forestlands. Given the heavy rain this season the fruit is available in abundance though the crop area has been reduced due to rapid urbanisation and real estate. "Good rain has given good yield this year," says Jagan Naik of Bommalaramaram village in Nalgonda district who has been coming to the city for the last six years along with his family. He has stationed his cart at Nacharam.

High price

But the sweet fruit is leaving a sour taste when it comes to pricing. A dozen custard apples are being sold from Rs. 40 to Rs. 80 depending on the size and ripeness. A basket, containing 30 fruits, is bargained for Rs. 80 to Rs. 100. "They are priced more," feels Jyothi, a housewife. But she still bought two baskets as children like it and more so it is available only for a couple of months.

Roop Singh, a lambada, who has come from a thanda near Bhongir agrees that the price is more. "But it is inevitable," he says arguing that they have taken the trees on lease for a higher price this year. Moreover, the expenses on their transport and stay have also increased. Each cartload earns them Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 6,000.

The trend is that a few families from a village come together on their bullock carts and stay put at one place. They go back together once the fruit is sold. Generally, they stay here for at least a week. But given the good harvest he hopes they would be back in the city once again before the season ends.

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