Nepal: Farmers dump 8 tons of tomatoes in protest
“Tomato production is increasing at a healthy rate after farmers started commercial farming by using tunnels,” Bhakta Khatiwada, immediate past president of Vegetable Wholesalers´ Association, told Republica, adding “Farmers were compelled to dump tomatoes after they failed to find market for their products.”
Traders have blamed the government for not ensuring a market for farm products. “India could be a market for Nepali tomatoes, but farmers are facing difficulty in exporting tomatoes to India due to some policy difficulties,” added Khatiwada. He also said the government should open new vegetables markets and simplify export procedures to ensure a market for farm products.
Khum Prasad Ghimire, president of Federation of Nepal Fruits and Vegetable Entrepreneurs criticized the government for not encouraging farmers. “Instead of finding a market for local farm products, the government is encouraging vegetable imports,” he alleged.
He also said tomato farmers were facing huge losses this year. “Last year they sold tomatoes at an average of Rs 25 per kg. This year they are not getting even Rs 10 per kg,” added Ghimire.
Meanwhile, Mohan Chapagain, joint secretary at the Ministry of Agricultural Development, expressed commitment to conduct feasibility for establishing more vegetable markets across country. “We will also study the possibility of exporting Nepali vegetables in the Indian market,” he assured.
Source: myrepublica.com