Patna - Tomato farmers in Bihar's Diara region are facing severe financial hardship as market prices have plunged to an alarming Rs. 1.5 to Rs. 2 per kilogram. Despite months of hard work, they are unable to recover even their basic production costs, pushing them deeper into distress.
"We spend a lot on seeds, fertilizers, labor and harvesting itself comes with additional expenses. But at these rock-bottom prices, we are incurring heavy losses," said Ram Naresh Yadav, a local farmer.
Adding to their woes, farmers must pay at least Rs. 50 per quintal just for local transportation, only to reach markets where prices are often even lower. With no proper storage facilities, many are left with no choice but to discard their produce or use it as cattle feed.
"By the time we transport our tomatoes to Patna or other cities, the prices drop even further, leaving us with nothing," lamented Sunita Devi, another struggling farmer.
Bihar is one of India's top producers of vegetables and fruits, yet the state lacks sufficient agro-processing units that could help farmers secure fair prices and reduce wastage. Ironically, the Union Minister for Food Processing hails from Bihar, but the state remains deprived of the necessary infrastructure to support its farmers. Experts emphasize that setting up food processing units and cold storage facilities could be a game-changer, preventing such crises in the future.
"Processing units can add value to the produce, reduce wastage, stabilize prices, and generate employment in rural areas," said an agricultural expert.
