digantsharma In the heart of Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district, tomato farmers are facing a harsh reality—bumper harvests met with plummeting prices. In this ground-level field report, we explore the journey of tomato growers who are struggling to make ends meet, despite producing record yields this season. Through firsthand interviews, local insights, and visuals from the field, we bring you an unfiltered look at the challenges behind this year’s tomato glut.
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“Tomato Glut in Ahmednagar: When a Good Harvest Becomes a Crisis”
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The Irony of Abundance
Farmers like Sunil Pawar from Parner village invested heavily in tomato cultivation this year. Encouraged by last year’s high prices, many farmers in the region increased their acreage. But when all these crops reached harvest simultaneously, mandis were flooded with supply, causing wholesale prices to fall as low as ₹2–₹3 per kg—far below the cost of production.
Some farmers have had to dump tomatoes by the roadside, unable to recover even the cost of transport. “I spent ₹80,000 on this crop and haven’t earned even half of that,” says Pawar, standing beside piles of unsold produce.
Lack of Market Linkage & Storage
One of the major issues highlighted by farmers is the lack of cold storage and proper procurement channels. Tomatoes are perishable, and in the absence of buyers or storage, the crop becomes waste in just a few days.
Experts from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Rahuri suggest that the government needs to strengthen Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and enable contract farming models that guarantee buyback options even during glut situations.
Government Intervention: Too Little, Too Late?
While the Maharashtra government has announced some relief, including transport subsidies and market support, ground implementation is slow. Local officials say procurement has started in some pockets, but it’s far from enough to stabilize prices.
Farmers are also demanding minimum support prices (MSP) for perishables like tomatoes, which currently aren’t covered under the MSP framework.
Technology Gaps Remain
Though platforms like eNAM (National Agriculture Market) are available, most small farmers are unaware or unequipped to use digital platforms to reach distant markets. Training and infrastructure investment are needed to bridge this gap.
What Needs to Change?
This situation is a reminder that agriculture policy must go beyond yield increases. Without robust post-harvest planning, digital access, and farmer awareness, even the most successful harvests can turn into economic disasters.
