Bumper tomato harvest in Himachal’s ‘Mini Punjab’ Balh, but no farmer reaches last year’s Rs 1 crore sales milestone
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The Newz Radar
MANDI: The Balh valley in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, also known as “Mini Punjab”, has witnessed a remarkable surge in tomato production and sales, crossing the Rs 10 crore mark.
Despite this significant achievement, no farmer has reached the millionaire status this year. In contrast, last year saw an individual farmer selling tomatoes worth over Rs 1 crore.
APMC’s Mandi district Chairman Sanjeev Guleria reported that approximately 2,200 farmers cultivated tomatoes on 1,200 hectares in Balh this season. So far, 1,500 tonnes of tomatoes have been dispatched to markets, compared to just 920 tonnes last year. Despite 30-35% crop damage, the production and profits have surpassed last year’s figures.
Price surge benefits farmers
The farmers in Balh valley initially struggled with low prices for their tomato produce. However, the recent price surge has brought relief. Farmers Shyam Singh, Bunty and Gulab Singh noted that while early season prices were disappointing, they are now receiving better returns.
In addition to fluctuating prices, farmers have faced increased costs for farming inputs such as fertilisers and pesticides, adding to their financial burdens. They have urged the government to reduce these costs to alleviate some of their economic pressures.
Farmer who made Rs 1 crore in 2023
Last year, Jairam Saini from Balh valley made headlines by selling tomatoes worth over Rs 1 crore, a milestone not achieved by any farmer this year. The high prices last year were attributed to a lower yield, which drove up market prices. This year’s higher yield initially fetched lower prices, though the market has since improved.
