Kurnool: The price of tomato has fallen to Rs 1-2 per kg in the Pathikonda wholesale market, which has left the farmers in distress. After that, the authorities have instructed the traders to buy tomatoes at a minimum price of Rs 4 per kg.
However, market officials have clarified that only low grade tomatoes are being sold at a low price of Rs 1 to 2 per kg. They say that quality products are being sold at Rs 8 to 18 per kg.
Even though the government records show that the average price per kg is Rs 8, some traders are buying tomatoes for only Rs 1 per kg, but the protesting farmers have continued. Farmers have alleged that traders are exploiting the situation by undercutting the actual price. In addition, they alleged that both the traders and the officials colluded to collect the price and cheated.
After this, the Pathikonda revenue and market officials inspected the market yard. They said that they are taking initiatives to solve the problem.
Pathikonda area A. Ramanna told Deccan Chronicle: “We are suffering huge losses due to these prices. We hope that the minimum price will be set. Otherwise, we will not even be able to cover our production costs. “
Responding to these allegations, Kurnool District Joint Collector B. Navya assured that remedial measures will be taken to protect the interests of farmers. She said the Agriculture Marketing Department has already procured 13 tonnes of tomatoes, which have been distributed to markets in Machilipatnam, Guntur, Kothapet and Kurnool C-Camp areas.
The joint collector made it clear that the minimum price of tomatoes will not be less than Rs 4 per kg. He warned that traders who violate this rule will be punished.