ADILABAD: There is a heavy demand for tomato seed this kharif what with farmers in Adilabad having achieved sweet results last season. Next only to cotton and soyabean, this horticultural crop brought in an estimated Rs. 450 crores of income cumulatively last year from 35,000 acres in which it was cultivated in the mandals of Utnoor, Indervelli and Gudihatnoor.

Over the last couple of decades, farmers in these mandals have taken to cultivation of tomato because not only the weather but the soil also suits it. They have also found profitable market for their produce in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra besides the local market.

The Government has sanctioned Rs. 17 lakhs as subsidy for all horticultural crops in the district to be disbursed over the year. Each of the estimated 7,000 families of the tomato farmers is apportioned Rs. 1,500 as subsidy to be given during kharif and rabi. However, farmers represented the matter pointing out the fact that tomato was cultivated only in kharif because of the rain fed situation. The Government subsequently increased the allocation for tomato subsidy from Rs. 2.5 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh according to official sources.

Hybrid varieties

Hitherto only about 40 per cent of the farmers cultivated the hybrid varieties. These varieties yielded a high 25 tonnes per acre which apparently prompted almost all the farmers to go in for the hybrid varieties.

In a few days from now, tomato farmers will raise nurseries and actual cultivation will take place only in first week of July.

In another 60 to 70 days, the crop becomes mature for harvesting.

Farmer Githe Keshav of Mannur says depending on the severity of cold during the winter, the yield this year will also be the same. Already, purchasers from other States have arrived to take stock of the situation, he added.

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