Sharp decline in tomato prices in open market worries farmers

A sharp decline in tomato prices in the open market has left many growers worried in Yadgir district.

Presently, the growers are selling their produce at ₹6 to ₹7 per kg to the wholesale dealers, who are selling it to the retailers for ₹10 to ₹15 per kg. The retailers are selling tomatoes at ₹20 per kg in the open market.

Extensive produce from local growers apart from huge quantum of the vegetable coming from other places like Kalaburagi and Raichur, and from neighboring Maharashtra and Telangana, the produce caused a significant price decline.

According to the Horticulture Department sources, the growers had planted the vegetable crop in around 450 acres of land in the district, during the Rabi season, majorly in Shahapur taluk, and they hoped for a good price in the future.

“We planted saplings in our two acres of land. Now, the present market condition does not seem hopeful, and probably, the amount that we are going to get from the sale of our produce would be half of the expenditure that was incurred so far,” said Channappa, a grower.

Meanwhile, the farmers started planting saplings for the summer season crop, which would possibly be harvested three months from now.

“Tomato is a much-required vegetable for high-quantum food preparations at weddings, hotels, and restaurants usually. Thus, the price will be increased during wedding seasons,” Mohammad, a vegetable vendor, said.

On the other hand, the price of the other vegetables such as onion, potato, cucumber, beetroot, pumpkin, green chilli, chickpeas, lady’s finger, is between ₹40 and ₹80 per kg in the retail market.

“As a homemaker, I am happy to see such a low price for vegetables. However, I am concerned about the farmers who are getting a very low price for tomatoes,” Umadevi, a resident of Yadgir, said.

Farmers’ leader Channappa Anegundi demanded the government address the growers’ concern. “The State government should establish cold storages enabling growers to keep produce for a while and sell it after they get a good price,” he said.

He also said that the government should provide reefer vans to farmers to transport tomatoes to the different places for sale.