Farmers typically sell 15 kg tomato baskets for Rs 300 to Rs 400. However, it fell precipitously to Rs 40-50 per basket this time, causing concern.
Karimnagar: The steep drop in tomato prices has resulted in huge losses for the State’s small and marginal farmers, with many of them struggling to even recover their costs.
Tomato farmers in the former Karimnagar district are upset because the crop’s price has dropped dramatically in recent years. Even though people were getting tomatoes for less than Rs 10 per kg, farmers were struggling to recover even labour and transportation costs.
Farmers typically sell 15 kg tomato baskets for Rs 300 to Rs 400. However, it fell precipitously to Rs 40-50 per basket this time, causing concern. Tomato prices have fallen as a result of increased tomato cultivation in Telangana and large quantities arriving from neighbouring states.
Because tomatoes are used in almost every other dish, there is a high demand for them in the market. Keeping this in mind, the vast majority of farmers are actively cultivating crops. However, overproduction versus demand has resulted in a price drop.
Tomatoes are planted on 400 acres in Karimnagar district, according to horticulture statistics. The conducive environment and lack of pest attacks aided farmers in producing an adequate yield this time.
On the other hand, traders are importing tomatoes from Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor and Madanapalle, as well as Maharashtra. Prices in local markets have fallen since the crop’s supply has been increased.
Velpula Anil of Thimapur mandal told Telangana Today that due to lower tomato prices, he was unable to recover labour and transportation costs.
Another farmer, Mathangi Anjaiah, stated that despite abnormally high rates of cultivation material, farmers were not benefiting from the price decline. Tilling land, mulching cover, fertiliser, and labourer cost Rs 50,000 for an acre of tomato planting. However, he stated that they were unable to secure even a small investment.
