Tomato Farmers Memorandum for Cold Storage

Farmers hurled the tomato harvest to the ground, demanding access to cold storage facilities and compensation for losses.

Farmers submitted a memorandum to the additional district magistrate, Sangram Keshari Swain. Swain said, "We have received their demand letter and have asked the horticulture department for an inquiry. We will take necessary steps after we get the report."

Farmers alleged that they have been unable to sell their produce and have not been able to store them either, without cold storage facilities. Most of them had taken loans from different banks and SHG groups and have not been able to repay them, as a result.

Debabrata Mohanta farmer said, "While earlier, traders from Sambalpur, Rourkela and Khurdha procured tomatoes to avoid distress sales by farmers, after the intervention of district administration, this year no agencies have done that."

While the rate of tomatoes per 30 kilograms is about Rs 30, the plucking wage is about Rs 10 per 30 kilos. "Hence, we could not engage labour to pluck the tomatoes as there is no market to sale. Tomato on acres of land is gradually rotting," Debabrata said.

Processing units like Bilati Orissa Limited used to procure the major bulk of tomatoes earlier for production of sauce. Problems started after the closure of the firm.

Worst affected are farmers from villages like Mahadeijoda, Tikarpada, Salarapenth, Naupada and Dalimapur, which cater to the district's vegetable market.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/