JOIN USFarmers in Chikmagalur, Lakhya, Hiregowja and Emmedoddi in Kadur taluk had decided to sow tomatoes in acres of land looking at the good price. They presumed that it would mean good returns after the harvest.
The crash in the tomato prices to 50 to 60 paise a kg — has come as a shock to them now. They say that it neither helps the farmer nor the consumer. As a result, many farmers have left the crop in the field without harvesting it. A few farmers are feeding it to the cattle. “We had grown tomato by spending thousands of rupees. However, now we are not able to fetch good price. We have incurred a huge loss.”
“I have spent Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 for growing tomato in one acre land. Though I was hoping for better returns, the crash in price has incurred a huge loss,” said farmers.
“When I sowed tomato seeds, it was fetching Rs 40 to 50 per kg in the market.
However, all our hopes have been dashed to the ground. A few have harvested and taken it to the market. A few have left the crop in the field,” said farmers. The farmers are hit by the tomato price crash even as they had not recovered from the loss they suffered after cultivating other crops during monsoon. They are now looking at tough times ahead.
“We have to pay wage of Rs 150 to Rs 200 for labourers to harvest tomatoes. Now, we will not get even the wages which we have paid,” said H C Gangadharappa. Shashidhar, Shivakumar and Jayamma in Hiregowja had grown tomatoes on two acres land.
“Tomatoes are sold for Rs five in the market. However, we are paid 50 paise a kg. Why this injustice,”asked Basappa.
Raitha Sangha Hasiru Sene district President Shashidhar said with steep fall in the price of tomatoes, no farmers are ready to harvest it. “We have been demanding support price for tomatoes for the past several years. However, our pleas have fallen on the deaf years. The government should announce support price of Rs five to Rs sic a kg.”