AP Agriculture Minister promises relief to tomato farmers

Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu on Monday assured that the state government will take steps to ensure that tomato farmers do not incur losses amid disrupted supplies to neighboring states.

The minister said heavy rains had affected the supply of tomatoes to Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, prompting government intervention to stabilize the market.

“The government will take measures to ensure that tomato farmers do not suffer losses,” Atchannaidu said in a press release.

According to the minister, tomato prices at the Rapthadu market are currently ranging between Rs 9 and Rs 18 per kg, while arrivals at the Pattikonda market are limited to around 40 tonnes. Normal supply price at major markets like Pattikonda and Madanapalli usually ranges between Rs 15 and Rs 25 per kg during peak season. Normally, Pattikonda, located in Kurnool district, handles 150–200 tonnes of tomatoes per day during peak season, highlighting the sharp decline in supply due to adverse weather conditions.

Similarly, the Madanapalli market in Chittoor district, another major tomato trading hub, is also witnessing reduced arrivals, which could impact both local consumption and interstate supply.

The government has stepped in to ensure continued supply to consumers. Ten tonnes of tomatoes were supplied to various Rythu Bazaars on Monday, and additional procurement at Pattikonda is planned to supply 10 tonnes to a Chittoor-based processing unit and 15 tonnes to Rythu Bazaars. Andhra Pradesh currently has around 200–220 Rythu Bazaars, of which nearly 180–190 are operational, providing farmers with direct access to consumers and helping stabilize prices.

Rythu Bazaars, government-run farmers’ markets, allow farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers, eliminating middlemen and ensuring fair returns for producers while keeping prices reasonable for buyers.