Tomato Farmers in Jorhat Face Severe Price Drop, Urgent Support Needed
Crisis Hits Tomato Farmers in Jorhat
Farmers grapple with tomatoes price crash across Jorhat, Dergaon (Photo: AT)
Jorhat, May 31: Tomato growers in various regions of Jorhat, particularly in Dergaon, are facing significant financial losses as prices have plummeted to between Re 1 and Rs 3 per kilogram. This situation has compelled many farmers to discard large quantities of their harvest, raising concerns about a worsening agricultural crisis.
Farmers who heavily invested in tomato farming this season report that they are unable to recoup even their basic production expenses, let alone make a profit.
One farmer lamented, "We spent lakhs on cultivation, but now we can't even cover our basic costs. We're paying labor costs out of our own pockets."
With market prices collapsing and buyers scarce, vast amounts of ripe tomatoes are either rotting in the fields or being thrown away.
The financial strain has made it difficult for farmers to afford transportation to markets, leading to widespread economic distress in tomato-producing areas of the district.
"I personally invested around Rs 50,000 in my crops, but the market price has dropped to just Rs 2 or Rs 3 per kilogram. We are at a loss," he added.
Farmers attribute the crisis to a lack of effective marketing systems and the influence of middlemen, claiming that while they suffer, consumers are still paying much higher prices in retail.
The contrast is stark, as tomatoes that farmers cannot sell for even Re 1 per kilogram are being sold for Rs 40 to Rs 60 in urban markets.
At the weekly market in Jorhat, tomatoes were observed selling within this same price range on Sunday.
Tomatoes sold at weekly Sunday market in Jorhat (Photo: AT)
Local farmers are worried that the ongoing price decline could have catastrophic effects on rural families already struggling with debts and increasing costs.
"It seems like the government has forgotten its responsibility towards farmers. If this continues, some may resort to drastic measures. We urge the government to assist us," one farmer expressed.
He added that the financial losses have left many without the means to invest in the next planting season.
"We lack the funds for the next crop cycle. We might have to sell our livestock. We have loans to repay, and we are uncertain about how to manage them. Farming is becoming unsustainable, and many of us may have to seek work as daily laborers instead," he explained.
Another farmer shared that despite investing Rs 50,000 through loans, the returns have been minimal due to a lack of buyers.
"I invested Rs 50,000 for tomato farming after taking a loan. The crop could have yielded at least 15 quintals, but I couldn't harvest much because there were no buyers. The weather has also started to damage the crop," he said.
He noted that even small amounts taken to the Jorhat weekly market remained unsold.
"We used to bring 5 to 10 kilograms to the Sunday market, but even those were not fully sold. I harvested nearly 15 quintals and had to discard them. There are still about 20 quintals left in the fields," he stated.
The farmer expressed that receiving even a fraction of the retail price would have made farming viable.
"If we had received Rs 40 per kilogram, it would have been profitable. Now, my main worry is how to repay the loan," he added.
The affected farmers have called on the Assam Government to provide immediate relief to offset their losses and to enhance agricultural marketing infrastructure to ensure fair pricing for farmers.
"If the government offers support and compensation for our losses, we can move forward and prepare for the next planting season," one farmer said.
Farmers warned that without urgent corrective actions, the ongoing crisis could deter future cultivation and further jeopardize agricultural livelihoods in the area.