Farmers dump tomatoes into drain following slump in prices

Mysore, Jul 14(UNI) The farmers of Mysore and neighbouring districts today dumped tomatoes into the drain at Regulated Market Committee (RMC) Yard in protest against the slump in the prices for their produce.

The farmers, who came with loads of tomatoes, were upset when the Wholesale Traders offered only Rupee one per kilo of tomatoes against Rs 3 last week.

The farmers from Pandavapura and Srirangpatna in Mandya district and K R Nagara and other taluks in Mysore district entered into a wordy duel with the Traders who told them that the price had dipped as the arrival of the vegetable had increased considerably. The vendors pleaded their helplessness in offering a better price.

After throwing the tomatoes into the drain and on streets, the farmers were seen returning empty handed cursing their fate.

The RMC Yard sources said that the normal arrival of tomato to the Yard was 125 ton per day till last week but it has doubled since a couple of days leading to the slump in the prices. However, the other vegetable prices have been stable.

UNI BSP MSP SKB1857