Tomato Prices Crash in Tamil Nadu, Farmers Forced to Dispose of Crops
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Synopsis
Tomato farmers in Tamil Nadu are suffering severe financial losses due to a dramatic price drop, with costs plummeting to Rs 7 per kilogram. Many have resorted to destroying their crops, unable to cover rising production costs. The situation has sparked calls for government intervention to establish a minimum support price to protect farmers.
Key Takeaways
- Tomato prices have fallen to Rs 7/kg in Tamil Nadu.
- Farmers are destroying crops due to unprofitability.
- High production costs exceed market returns.
- Government intervention is urged for price stabilization.
- Farmers request a minimum support price of Rs 25/kg.
Chennai, March 18 (NationPress) Tomato farmers throughout Tamil Nadu are encountering significant losses as prices have plummeted to as low as Rs 7 per kilogram in the retail market.
With production costs surpassing returns, numerous farmers are compelled to destroy their crops instead of harvesting them.
R.M. Senthilnathan, a farmer from Thumpichipalayam near Kallimandayam in Oddanchatram taluk, Dindigul, shared that he invested over Rs 5 lakh on fertilizers, pesticides, and fencing for his six-acre tomato farm. “For the past two months, I have been collecting around 20 boxes of tomatoes daily, with each box weighing 14 kg. Prices fluctuated between Rs 200 and Rs 280 per box. However, due to an unexpected surge of tomatoes in the market, prices have dropped to Rs 7 per kg in retail,” Senthilnathan disclosed to IANS.
He remarked, “With laborers demanding Rs 3 per box for plucking, harvesting has become economically unfeasible. We have no alternative but to destroy the crop and prepare the land for the next planting.”
In certain regions of Dindigul, retail tomato prices have decreased even further, from Rs 10 per kg last week to Rs 6 per kg. Another tomato farmer, Umesh Kumar, noted that many farmers have ceased plucking tomatoes entirely to minimize their losses.
M. Manikandan, a trader in the Oddanchatram market, clarified the reason for the price fall. “Last week, tomatoes were being sold at Rs 170 to Rs 200 per box (Rs 10 to Rs 12 per kg). However, due to large-scale arrivals -- over 200 boxes per shop daily -- the price has now dropped to Rs 4 to Rs 5 per kg,“ he explained.
Tomatoes are being supplied in bulk from villages such as Amarakudi, Poochukudi, Ayakudi, Reddiarchatram, Ambilikkai, and Kallimandayam, resulting in an oversupply.
An official from the horticulture department indicated that farmers had focused on tomato cultivation in Oddanchatram taluk due to favorable prices in October 2024. Numerous farmers in Vadamadurai, located in Vedasandur taluk, also engaged in tomato farming.
“The cool and pleasant climate has enhanced production, leading to this surplus. This trend is anticipated to persist for the next few weeks,” the official stated.
The crisis extends beyond Dindigul. In Tiruppur, a 40-year-old farmer, Veerasamy R., chose to distribute his tomatoes for free to the public before discarding the rest of his crop.
“I invested over Rs one lakh cultivating tomatoes on my two-acre farmland. However, with transportation costs at Rs 30 per crate and labor costs at Rs 35, the current market price renders it impossible for us to recoup our expenses,” Veerasamy declared.
A month prior, he was selling tomatoes at Rs 25 per kg. But as prices plummeted to Rs 7- Rs 12 per kg, he was compelled to sell a 15-kg crate for just Rs 100. “For three days, I sold tomatoes at this low price, but afterward, I ceased harvesting. I allowed villagers to pick tomatoes for free, fed some to my livestock, and eventually, I destroyed the remaining crop using a tractor,” he added.
Veerasamy highlighted that nearly 100 small and micro farmers from Karaipudur in Tiruppur have been severely impacted. He stressed the necessity for a minimum support price of at least Rs 25 per kg to sustain tomato farming.
A senior horticulture department official in Tiruppur acknowledged the problem, stating that high yields have triggered the price decline. However, he foresaw that prices might increase in the upcoming days.
“The government must make a policy decision regarding the establishment of a minimum support price to shield farmers from such losses,” he asserted. Farmers across Tamil Nadu resonated with this demand, urging authorities to step in and stabilize tomato prices.
