Farmers are leaving no stone unturned to safeguard their valuable tomato crops, resorting to innovative measures such as installing CCTV cameras and double locks. The iconic red and juicy kitchen staple, which has been priced between ₹100 and ₹200 per kilo, is witnessing increased protection efforts in fields and shops alike. Farmers and traders are going the extra mile to ensure the safety of their tomato produce due to its high market value.
Abdul Gani Sayyed, a farmer from Kokangaon in Niphad (Nashik), has taken a proactive approach by setting up three CCTV cameras in his fields. These cameras are not meant for his personal security, but rather to deter tomato thieves. Given the continuing surge in tomato prices, farmers are adopting all possible precautions to shield their valuable crops, which have translated into significant profits for many.
Sayyed, who has cultivated tomatoes across three acres of land, installed the cameras due to instances of tomato theft in the district. His motive is to ensure that any attempt to steal his produce is captured on camera. Local media has highlighted Sayyed’s initiative, emphasizing the need for farmers to be cautious about their tomato crops due to their substantial market value. Instances of yield damage or theft from fields have prompted these protective measures.
Another farmer, Arun Dhome, recently reported a theft of 400 kg of tomatoes worth ₹20,000 to the police. He detailed how he had harvested tomatoes from his farm and transported them to his home in Shirur tehsil with the help of laborers. His plan was to sell the tomatoes in the market. However, upon waking up one morning, he discovered that 20 crates of the precious commodity had gone missing.
The importance of protecting tomatoes is further underscored by traders and vendors. Kaka Chavan, a vendor in Pune, revealed that he uses double locks to secure his shop due to the valuable tomatoes inside. Similarly, traders at APMC remain vigilant when wholesale tomatoes arrive at the market early in the morning.
While tomato farmers in Maharashtra are gaining attention for their impressive profits amidst soaring prices, there’s a realization that these returns are compensating for years of inconsistent earnings. For instance, Ishwar Gayakar and his wife Sonali from Junnar taluka earned ₹2.8 crore by selling tomatoes, aiming to further their earnings to ₹3.5 crore by season’s end. Despite the headlines of farmers benefiting from tomatoes, many like Hemant Pawar stress that these current profits help offset previous losses incurred over the years.
