An oversupply of produce has brought down tomato prices in the Chittoor district. That is why the Chittoor district administration held discussions with managements of pulp industries, urging them to buy tomatoes to avoid heavy losses to farmers. There are 45 pulp industries in the Chittoor district. Farmers in the district have grown tomatoes on more than 6,800 hectares, and the markets of Madanapalle, Punganur, Palamaneru, Kalikiri, Gurramkonda, and Mulakalacheruvu have been getting 1,000 tons of the fruit every day.
Traders from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka used to visit wholesale markets in Palamaner, Madanapalle, and Punganur to purchase tomatoes during the season. The scenario was, however, changed now as TN traders have started encouraging local farmers to grow tomatoes. Huge arrivals coupled with less demand from other States brought down tomato prices. The price of tomatoes in the retail market remains at Rs15-20 a kg. Such a low price of tomatoes is hitting farmers hard.
Recently, District Collector M. Harinarayanan held a meeting with the management of pulp industries and marketing officials and asked the pulp industries to run the firms for crushing tomatoes for supporting farmers.
Source: newindianexpress.com