While tomatoes are grown in large numbers in and around Udumalpet, farmers are worried that a box of tomatoes, which was sold for Rs 200 last week, has now come down to Rs 100-140 due to the increase in arrivals.
Tirupur: Farmers near Udumalpet in Tirupur district are in distress as the prices of tomatoes have come down due to increase in arrivals.
Tomatoes are one of the vegetables that plays an important role in cooking. On an average, more than 20,000 acres of tomatoes are cultivated in and around Udumalpet every season.
Tomatoes have been cultivated extensively in the current season after the monsoon due to reasons such as drip irrigation, pit tray system and seedling planting. In this situation, the tomatoes produced in Udumalpet are transported to various parts of Tamil Nadu and Marayur in Kerala for sale.
At present, the arrival of tomatoes to Udumalpet market has increased more than usual. As of now, a 14 kg box of tomatoes is priced between Rs 100 and Rs 140.
Last week, the price of a box went down to Rs 200, but now the farmers are worried as the prices have fallen due to the increase in arrivals. The refore, the farmers have demanded that a fixed price be fixed for tomatoes and the government should take appropriate action in this regard.