Lack of government-run warehouses and cold storages to preserve the produce adds to farmers' distress. | Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Mumbai: The farmers in Maharashtra are dealing with an unprecedented crisis. A sudden jump in production of tomatoes have resulted in massive fall in their prices, and glut. Mirror Now reached Pimpalgaon, Nashik to talk to farmers who have produced large quantities of tomatoes this cropping season and forced to sell their produce at minimum prices.

The high quality tomatoes which were sold for Rs 35-55 per kg last year but on Sunday the same tomatoes were being sold at as low as Rs 2 per kg in the wholesale market. Although the benefit of these low prices have not reached the common man.

A farmer told Mirror Now, "The total cost of production includes procurement of seeds, fertilizers, labour and cultivation cost equals to Rs 1.5- Rs 2 lakh minimum. For this crop we are getting Rs 2 per kg cost, which is very less to what we have invested."

Tomato farmers in #Maharashtra are dealing with an unprecedented crisis. A sudden jump in production & fall in demand has lead to a sharp decline in prices.



MIRROR NOW's @iamrichaa spoke to the farmers in Pimpalgoan, Nashik. pic.twitter.com/ysf0M71D3t — Mirror Now (@MirrorNow) September 2, 2018

He added, that to run in profit they should at least receive Rs 20 per kg. Another farmer added, that they have loans but there are no available markets for their produce."We are getting Rs 2 per kg, the customer is buying for Rs 40 per kg, Rs 38 is in the pockets of middlemen. The government should come up with some solution."

This time due to favourable weather conditions there is bumper crop. Meanwhile, lack of government-run warehouses and cold storages to preserve the produce adds to farmers' distress.



