Farmers were forced to dump their produce at the tomato market in Chikkammanahalli village of Challakere taluk in Chitradurga district on Friday due to a dramatic decline in tomato prices. Farmers were forced to dump their produce at the tomato market in Chikkammanahalli village of Challakere taluk in Chitradurga district on Friday due to a dramatic decline in tomato prices.
The price of tomatoes, which was Rs 100 per kg in May of this year, dropped sharply, and dealers were unwilling to accept even Rs 10 for a box of 15 kg of tomatoes. Farmers who were upset dumped tomatoes next to U.S. Route 150A and then ran tractors over them.
Tomato growers have also been hampered by a lack of processing facilities in the area. Many farmers from Kallahalli, Torekolammanahalli, Nayakanahatti, and other locations had sowed the crop as tomatoes just reached record-high prices. However, because to high yields and an oversupply on the market, prices have fallen to unprecedented lows.
Truck drivers and others were observed stopping and plucking tomatoes from the landfill as they drove by. A farmer from Kereyagalahalli, Ravikumar, stated, "I have gotten bank loans for growing tomatoes totaling lakhs. Considering how cheap the fruit is, I am not even picking it.
"Good quality tomatoes are sold for Rs 60-70 per box, which works out to Rs 4.60 per kg, while the round ones are offered for Rs 10-15 each, which works out to just Rs 1 per kg," said Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture at Challakere, Virupakshappa. Even the production costs are not covered by it. He stated:
"On Thursday, the cost per box was about Rs 140. Even at that price, the cost of production is not covered, but at least the farmers could find some comfort. The largest tomato market in central Karnataka is located in Chikkammanahalli. The tomatoes that are brought here are produced in regions like Kudligi, Ballari, Molakalmuru, Chitradurga, Hiriyur, Rayadurga, Sira, Challakere, and other locations. The crop is delivered to Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bengaluru.”
