Farmers Give Away Tomatoes as Prices Crash in Mahabubabad Market

• Tomato prices fell sharply leaving farmers without returns.
• Transport costs were higher than market income.
• Growers demanded minimum support and price stability.

Tomato farmers in Mahabubabad district were pushed to the brink after receiving extremely low prices for their produce at the Kothaguda weekly market. What was meant to be a regular market day turned into a painful reminder of the uncertainty farmers face each season.

With the Friday weekly fair attracting heavy arrivals farmers brought large quantities of tomatoes hoping for decent rates. Instead the market saw a sudden oversupply and prices crashed to just two rupees per kilogram leaving farmers stunned and helpless.

Many growers said the amount they received was not enough even to cover vehicle rent and loading expenses. Facing the prospect of taking the produce back and suffering further losses several farmers chose to distribute tomatoes free to local residents rather than let the crop go to waste.

Farmers expressed deep anguish saying months of hard work ended in loss within hours. They urged authorities to step in with price support mechanisms market regulation and timely intervention to prevent repeated distress in vegetable cultivation.