Chatra: Dearth of buyers coupled with bumper production has forced the tomato cultivators in this district to destroy their yields in their own hands.
The destroyed tomatoes were seen in Simaria, Pathhalgadda, Gidhhour, Tanda and Lawalong besides places under Sadar block localities.
According to an agriculture departmnent official, about five to eight tonnes of tomatoes were being destroyed on a daily basis in this district.
“The farmers had planted the crop on over 1400 acres of land and are now even struggling to manage the labour cost for taking out tomatoes from their respective fields,” said that official.
Cultivator Manoj Kumar Singh said there is no one to purchase their tomatoes. “Once we bring it to market, we are not in a position to take it back if the produce remains unsold as it will also cost another transportation expenditure,” Mr Singh said. “The farmer know that tomato is perishable item still they take risk to grow such crops therefore it is the responsibility of the government to make arrangements to save their produce,” Singh said.
In the local markets of the district, tomato is being sold at 50 paise per kilogram.
Earler, yielders used to send their tomatos to nearby areas and even in nearby countries including Bangladesh and Nepal. (PTI)
