Tomato Farmers Suffer Losses As Rains Wreak Havoc

TIRUPATI: The heavy rains damaged tomato crops during the Somala, Sodam, Punganur, Chowdepalli and nearby mandates in the Chittoor area.

Farmers are troubled, because as the harvest spread over hundreds of acres caught, it has faded or rotten in the last few days due to continuous rains in the last few days. They had erected their crops in April and May, hoping to harvest until the end of July.

However, the sudden rain spell not only delayed harvest, but also triggered heavy pest invasions and fungal diseases. Plants are spilled and fruits have developed symptoms of cracks, black stains and decay, which did not make them suitable for sale in the market.

In many areas, farmers began to abandon the damaged crop, not even the basic planting cost. S. Ramakrishna, a farmer from Somala, said, “We spent about 1.32 lakh per acre this season. But the rains ruined everything before starting to harvest. Fruits are rotting in the fields,” he said.

Market prices have recently rose to 600 per 15 kg box due to supply shortage. Rain -stroke tomatoes bring less than 100 per box. Moving products to local markets such as Madanapalle, Punganur and Palamaner, the cost of approximately 20 LA per box. After falling into the commission, many farmers do not leave anything.

In addition, rains broke the formation of flowering and fruit in the crop standing and threw uncertainty over future yields. Farmers urged the garden department to note the situation and to declare the affected mania as crop loss zones.

“Prices were finally favorable after the struggle for months. But these rains destroyed our hopes. No one from the government did not even come to examine our fields.

Farmers immediately request financial assistance to help them recover and prepare during the next clipping season. However, no official response has not yet been received for compensation or relief.