Chennai, Nov 26 : , To prevent bulk purchases at Uzhavar Sandhais and farmers’ markets, the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Department has instituted a rationing system in Coimbatore for tomato sales. According to the agricultural department, a consumer can only buy 2 kg of tomatoes per person.5 kg can be purchased for functions by sending invitations to the Uzhavur Sandhais.
Coimbatore is home to seven Uzhavur Sandhais.
The arrival of tomatoes has been affected by heavy rains in many areas of the state.
Jayakumar N, Manager of Coimbatore East Sandhai, stated to IANS that while the seven sandhais in Coimbatore used to get between 20-25 tonnes and 15 tonnes per day, now, after the rains, it has fallen to 12-15 tonnes per daily.
The department has implemented rationing systems of 2 kg per person and 5 kg for functions.
Tomato farmers also claimed that heavy rains have made it difficult for the product to be transported and therefore the local buying agents aren’t paying the farmers correctly.
Periyasamy, a Valparai tomato farmer, told IANS: “I am concerned as I have more that 20 boxes of tomatoes with me.A buying agent offered Rs 550 per box.One box contains 15 kg of tomatoes.I am willing to sell the product because I cannot wait any longer, even though this is a loss.
K.Murugesan, leader of the farmer association, stated that heavy rains have caused a lot of damage to tomato farmers.
We are unable to sell the product due transport constraints, bad roads and bad roads.Therefore we must sell tomatoes at the rates set by middlemen.
This is affecting us because most of the farmers have taken out loans and grown the product.The Agricultural department has asked for us to sell the products at Uzhavar Sandhai.They have promised good money.We are still to decide.
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