Kurnool: Tomato prices at the Pathikonda wholesale market have plummeted to ₹1-2 per kilogramme, causing distress among farmers. Following this, officials have instructed traders to purchase tomatoes at a minimum price of ₹4 per kg.
However, market officials clarified that only low-grade tomatoes are being sold at the lower prices of ₹1-2 per kilogramme. They maintain that better-quality produce is being sold from ₹8 to ₹18 per kg.
Yet, protesting farmers continued charging that certain traders are purchasing tomatoes only at ₹1 per kilogramme, even though official records show an average price of ₹8 per kg. Farmers accused traders of exploiting the situation by underreporting actual prices. Further, they allege that both traders and officials are colluding in manipulating the prices and cheating them.
Following this, Pathikonda revenue and marketing officials visited the market yard to observe the situation. They said they are taking steps to address the issue.
A. Ramanna from the Pathikonda area told Deccan Chronicle: “We are facing significant losses due to these prices. We hope a 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 corrective measures will be taken to protect the farmers' interests. She revealed that the Agricultural Marketing department had already purchased 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 for tomatoes should not fall below ₹4 per kilogramme. She warned that action will be taken against traders who violated this rule.
