Tomato prices in the Palamaneru market are reminiscent of the bullion market. A week ago, a 15 kg box increased from Rs. 300 to Rs. 350 and gradually decreased. On the 19th, it was Rs. 200. On the 20th, it fell to Rs. 150- Rs. 170. On Sunday, it increased slightly to Rs. 220. This is causing concern among tomato farmers. It seems that due to the intermittent rains, tomatoes in the gardens have suddenly rotted and are being transported to the market in large quantities, causing prices to fall. Another reason is that traders are not buying them as the tomatoes that have rotted due to the rains are getting crushed while being transported to distant places.
Farmers here say that a box of tomatoes in Nangli in the neighboring state of Karnataka was sold for Rs. 300 on Sunday and Rs. 50 per box in Madanapalle. Mandi traders and tomato farmers in Palamaneru market protested on Sunday over market problems. Market Committee Chairman Rajanna immediately responded and met the farmers. They demanded that a digital board displaying tomato prices be installed in a public place in every mandi and that the traffic problem in the market be resolved. Rajanna assured that the farmers’ problems would be resolved within a week