Rayalaseema Farmers Relieved As Tomato Prices Start Rising
A week ago, tomatoes fetched around ₹10 a kg. But prices started rising from October 1, crossing ₹30 a kg in the wholesale market: Reports
KURNOOL: Tomato farmers across Rayalaseema are feeling relieved as wholesale prices of the fruit, which had remained below ₹10 a kg for months, crossed ₹30 a kg in major wholesale markets from October 1.
The prolonged slump left growers wondering whether they will recover their cultivation costs. The recovery of prices recently has renewed their hopes of better returns.
Besides Madanapalle, the major tomato trading centres in Rayalaseema are Pulivendula, Nandyal, and Yemmiganur. A week ago, tomatoes fetched around ₹10 a kg. But prices started rising from October 1, crossing ₹30 a kg in the wholesale market.
Pulivendula market is currently supplying quality tomatoes to various parts of the state.
V. Sambasiva Reddy, a farmer from Komannuthala village in Pulivendula constituency, said, “We suffered heavy losses for nearly three months due to poor prices. The price touching ₹30 a kg now has given us a fresh lease of life. If the prices remain stable, we can expect reasonable returns. We cultivated tomatoes despite shortage of water and put in a lot of hard work.”
Retail prices have touched around ₹40 a kg.
The rise in price is encouraging farmers to bring their produce to markets with renewed confidence.
More than 10,500 hectares are under tomato cultivation in Kurnool, Kadapa, and Nandyal districts. Over one lakh farmers in the three districts produce around 1.16 lakh tonnes annually.
The prolonged low prices had caused considerable distress among farmers, as prices of carrots, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, cluster beans, and onions remained comparatively better.
“Tomato markets are lively once again now. We felt pain seeing the plight of farmers in markets when the prices had fallen sharply. The scenario has improved and there are indications that tomato prices could rise further,” said K. Raghuramaiah, a trader at the tomato market in Kakkalapalli, Anantapur district.
Major tomato-growing areas include Vemula, Pulivendula, and Lingala mandals in Kadapa district; Panyam, Chagalamarri, and Pyapili in Nandyal district; and Tuggali, Kosigi, and Kowthalam in Kurnool district.
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*Tomato Cultivation in Rayalaseema
District – Cultivated Area (In Hectares)
Kurnool – 4,555
Nandyal – 3,576
Anantapur – 18,312
Sri Sathya Sai – 10,965
YSR Kadapa – 2,493
Annamayya – 12,821
Chittoor – 9,010
Tirupati – 495