At last, tomato really proves to be a lucky crop

Farmers are elated as price has gone up to nearly Rs 420 per 15-kg box

The market is abuzz with trading of the crop as a 15-kg box would fetch Rs 300 to Rs 420. The farmers in the taluk, where borewell is the only source of irrigation, grow tomato as main crop in a vast tract of land. Apart from hundred tonnes of tomato that come to the local market, several trucks-load of tomatoes are transported to Mulbagal, Kolar, Vaddipalli, Madanapalli of Andhra Pradesh, Bangalore and Chennai everyday.

Crop loss due to heavy rain in Andhra Pradesh and other states has led to an increase in demand for tomato in Kolar this season, said Kadapalareddygarihalli farmer Ramireddy. Though rain has damaged crop in the border taluks, the rise in the price has compensated for the loss to certain extent, he reasoned. The farmers, though elated, have their own share of concern over the fluctuating prices of the crop.

Though they have got one-time high price for tomato, it is indeed meagre when compared to huge loss they sustain when there is decline in demand. Hence, the farmers say, they can heave a sigh of relief only the price is stable for a considerable period.

Nevertheless, the price rise has been considered as a better sign by the farmers who have rushed to plant saplings and prepare ground for the next bumper crop. Some of the farmers are seen preparing the hitherto idle land near borewells for cultivation.