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Tomato farmers left in lurch
Tomato Farmers Left in Lurch. The fate of the much-touted plans of Andhra Pradesh government to set up a mega food park for processing tomatoes in Kurnool district hangs in balance as it finds that the local variety available there was not suitable for processing units.
- Food-processing units prefer thick-skinned tomatoes
- Kurnool farmers raise native variety which is very popular
- Random survey reveals all love the thin-skinned variety
- Govt to promote contract farming to meet industry requirement
- Farmers wary of low price offered by processing units
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Hyderabad: The fate of the much-touted plans of Andhra Pradesh government to set up a mega food park for processing tomatoes in Kurnool district hangs in balance as it finds that the local variety available there was not suitable for processing units.
The preference of thick-skinned tomato variety by processing units has put the government in a fix as the option left for it is to go for contract farming of hybrid variety tomatoes to meet the industry requirements.
The hybrid yields good quantity of pulp which is preferred for making tomato sauce, ketchup or puree in comparison to the ‘desi’ variety which has more of seeds than pulp. Though the ‘country’ tomato is popular in Indian kitchens, it may have to lose the battle to the hybrid variety.
A senior official, engaged in the policy and planning of the initiative in establishing foods parks in the state, said, “The soft-skinned and native variety of tomato, which is grown in and around Pattikonda, Pyapili and Dhone areas, is popular for its culinary qualities.” Speaking to The Hans India, the Secretary of Pattikonda marketyard said, “during peak season farmers raise nearly 100 tonnes of soft-skinned tomato. The native variety has been the most-sought after by women as they are more juicy and tasty.”
The market for the tasty tomatoes is huge across several states. Secretary, Dhone market yard, said, “Dhone tomatoes are supplied to different markets across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Bangalore.”
Even while admitting to the tasty quality of native tomatoes, a senior official in industries department, said that he has been entrusted with the responsibility of promoting the thick-skinned variety. Curiously, most of senior IAS officials and even many leaders prefer the native tomatoes. Gunda Lakshmi Devi, a TDP MLA from Srikakulam, said, “I prefer the normal variety to cook at home”.
Left with no option, officials of the industry department are now in the process of convincing the farmers of Chittoor district to take to contract farming and grow the hybrid variety.
