DAVANGERE/CHITRADURGA: With tomato prices falling steeply, farmers of Davangere dumped the perishable commodity on roads near the wholesale vegetable market in the city on Monday.
Farmer Manjunath from Donnehalli told The New Indian Express, “When we are spending large amounts on raising the crop, we have to get at least the break-even prices. We are not even getting the money which we have spent. So we threw them on the streets.” According to him, the absence of a food park in the region has made the farmers depend only vendors for selling their produce.
Another farmer Veerappa from Avaragere village said, “The government should fix prices. Then only the problems faced by the farmers can be solved.” At Chitradurga, the prices of tomatoes which had dived to Rs 5 per kg went up to Rs 10 on Monday. Traders are expecting an upward movement in the prices on Tuesday morning. According to farmer Prabhu from Madanayakanahalli, a food processing park should be started in Chitradurga. “At least the farmers will have the confidence of getting a fixed price if a park starts functioning,” he said. The region grows tomato, chilli, brinjal, onion and other vegetables around the year.
Market intervention needed
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha general secretary Echaghatta Siddaveerappa has demanded government intervention and the protection of farmers from losses. He also advised the government to start a food processing park for the alternative use of the perishable commodity. “Food processing units will provide employment to rural youths at their doorsteps and protect the farmers from suffering loss and committing suicides and prevent youths from migration,” he said.