Unseasonal rain destroys crop; tomato price to stay high in Hubballi

HUBBALLI: Tomato price has hit the roof with the price ranging from Rs 80 to Rs 120 per kg in the local markets. It is expected to stay there for the next couple of weeks.
A few months back, many farmers had protested in several districts in north Karnataka after the tomato price crashed in the wholesale markets. But for the past two weeks, the scene is entirely different. Farmers who managed to grow tomato and protected them from unseasonal rains are reaping a good profit.
Mahantesh Chandaragi, a farmer from Bailhongal told TOI that farmers from Belagavi, Kolar, Dharwad, some parts of Vijayapura, Gadag and other districts would supply tomato to the Hubballi APMC, Bengaluru and other parts of the state. But huge quantities of tomato crop was destroyed due to unseasonal rains the state two weeks ago.
"We can grow tomato crops every three months and it is grown throughout the year if there is good irrigation and pleasant weather. We can grow 50-60 boxes (each box contains 20 to 25 kg) of tomatoes in one acre by spending around Rs 30,000. To our shock, most of the farmers have lost their crops due to the rain," he said.
"It has created a huge shortage in the market and led to a rise in prices in the local market. Farmers who have managed to protect their stock against the rains are now reaping good profit. I have grown tomatoes on three acres but lost everything. I can manage to bring only 5-6 boxes to market now," he added.
Aptab Ahmed Chirkote and Rajesaab, vegetable wholesale vendors at APMC, Hubballi said, "Due to shortage of tomatoes from Belagavi, Dharwad, Kolar and local growers, we are now getting tomatoes from Aurangabad, Sangli, Miraj and other parts of Maharashtra."
"We paid Rs 2,000 to 2,200 for one box of tomatoes last week but now it has come down to 1,800-1,600 as we are slowly getting a good stock of tomatoes. Now, prices are hovering between Rs 80 to 100 per kg in the local market and it was Rs 100- Rs 120 three days back. We are expecting the arrival of good stock of tomatoes from local growers from next week and it is likely to stabilize the prices to Rs 15 to 20 per kg," they said.
Mala Angadi, Anasuya Pujar and other buyers said they are buying only a minimum quantity of tomatoes following the price rise. They are also using more tamarind as an alternative to tomatoes, they added.