Tomato growers in parts of Mysuru and Mandya are reeling from massive losses as plummeting prices, monsoon-triggered crop damage, and waning demand force them to discard entire harvests. Once a source of profit, tomatoes — especially the jam variety — are now being dumped by truckloads at the Bandipalya APMC yard, with farmers unable to cover even transport costs.
The rainy spell has intensified challenges. Increased soil moisture and leaf spot diseases like Chukki Roga are destroying crops, leading farmers to pick only partially ripened tomatoes, which are sturdier for long-distance transport. Yet even these are rejected if slightly damaged.
On June 16, prices fell to Rs. 15–16/kg, with only premium-grade produce accepted. Bulk buyers from Kerala prefer firm tomatoes, leaving behind the rest. Previously, sauce factories purchased substandard stock, but with mango products dominating the summer market, even that avenue has dried up.
Farmers from Pandavapura and Nagamangala lamented losses, sharing stories of dumping hundreds of kilograms to avoid higher transportation costs. APMC Secretary Kumaraswamy noted that rains accelerate spoilage, worsening the crisis.
Amid these conditions, farmers are urging government intervention and relief, as continued rainfall and low prices leave them watching their crops rot, powerless to save their season.
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