Tomato Price Drop: Due to an abundant harvest, tomato prices have hit record lows in major wholesale markets, causing severe financial distress for farmers. To mitigate this crisis, the government must implement measures such as minimum support prices, government procurement, and enhanced cold storage facilities. Without such interventions, farmers may struggle for years to recover from their losses.

Historic Price Drop in Madhya Pradesh

The wholesale markets in Madhya Pradesh have witnessed an unprecedented decline in tomato prices due to the excessive supply of fresh crops. This has created a severe economic challenge for farmers, preventing them from securing adequate returns for their hard work.

Tomato Prices Fall to INR 2 per Kg in Indore Market

In Indore’s Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Fruit and Vegetable Market, one of the largest wholesale markets in Madhya Pradesh, tomato prices have dropped to just INR 2 per kilogram. Khandwa district farmer Dheeraj Rayakwar reported that such low prices barely cover harvesting and transportation costs. Many farmers are being forced to abandon their unsold produce at the market due to the lack of buyers.

Overproduction Leads to Financial Losses

Last year, high tomato prices prompted farmers to cultivate the crop on a larger scale, expecting profitable returns. However, the massive production has now resulted in an oversupply, leading to a steep decline in prices. Dinesh Muvel, a farmer from Dhar district, took a loan of INR 2 lakh to cultivate tomatoes on two acres of land but now faces massive losses due to the price crash.

Farmers Demand Government Intervention

Ram Swaroop Mantri, coordinator of the United Farmers’ Front, has urged the Madhya Pradesh government to procure tomatoes from farmers at fair prices to prevent further financial hardship. He emphasized the need for a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for tomatoes and other perishable crops to ensure stability in farmers' earnings.

Lack of Cold Storage and Processing Facilities

Bablu Jadhav, president of the Indian Farmers and Workers Union, highlighted the shortage of cold storage and processing units in rural areas of the state. Due to this lack of infrastructure, farmers are compelled to sell perishable crops like tomatoes at throwaway prices, leading to significant financial losses.