Andhra farmer turns millionaire, earns Rs 4 crore in 45 days by selling tomatoes
Andhra Pradesh, July 30: A farmer couple in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district sold 40,000 cartons of tomatoes and made Rs 3 crore in 45 days amid increased tomato prices.
Chandramouli is a tomato farmer with a 22-acre field where he planted a rare variety of tomato plants in the first week of April. To increase yield, he used advanced techniques including mulching and micro-irrigation. He was successful in his efforts, as he got the tomato yield by the end of June.
He sold his produce at the Kolar market in Karnataka, close to his home. When he sold 40,000 boxes of tomatoes in the last 45 days, the market price for a 15 kg crate of tomatoes ranged between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500.
Chandramouli expressed his delight as tomato prices rose, saying, "From the produce I have so far, I have earned Rs 4 crore. To get the yield, I had to pay Rs 1 crore for my 22 acres of land, which included commission and transportation costs. So, profits remain at Rs 3 crore,” a media outlet quoted him saying.
Meanwhile, Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh, which has one of the largest tomato marketplaces in India, has seen tomato prices skyrocket, with the per-kg price of first-grade tomato allegedly reaching Rs 200 on Friday (July 28).
On Friday, traders came to the market in huge numbers to purchase tomatoes. According to reports, first-class tomatoes are being exported to northern cities.
Two weeks ago, a 25-kg container was offered for Rs 3,000, or Rs 120 per kg. However, because of the increased demand for tomatoes in other states, the price has risen to Rs 200 per kg. According to officials, the rising tomato prices will last through the end of August.
- With inputs from agencies
