Police cover for pricey tomato crops in Chamarajanagar district

CHAMARAJANAGAR, KOLAR: At a time when tomato prices are still high and famers and making good money, the Chamarajanagar police are doing the rounds of tomato fields to prevent thefts, which has come as a huge relief to those who have cultivated tomato.

A few days ago, miscreants had damaged the tomato crop of farmer Manjunath, cultivated in 1.5 acres, at Kebbepura village. Following this, Superintendent of Police Padmini Sahoo has instructed the police to do the rounds of tomato fields 4-5 times in a day. “We will provide security as part of our regular patrolling”, she said.

Brother Rajesh and Nagesh sorting out their tomato harvest.

Brothers Rajesh and Nagesh, who have cultivated tomato on their 12-acre farm at Lakshmipura village and earned over Rs 1 crore in the last six months, are happy that the police are providing security. They hope to make another Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1 crore in the coming days.

When the price of tomato was Rs 100 per kg, the brothers sold 2,000 crates of 30 kg each and earned Rs 40 lakh. Now, when the price has dropped to Rs 80 per kg, they hope to harvest another 6,000-8,000 crates. Traders from Kerala and Tamil Nadu are coming to their fields and purchasing tomatoes from there itself.

Having faced rejection from prospective brides over those with government jobs or professional careers, the brothers are optimistic of finding brides, now that their earnings have increased. Their father Krishna Shetty plans to houses for the two brothers, purchase land for them and buy a car.

Meanwhile, miscreants uprooted about 3,000 tomato plants belonging to farmer Venkataswamy at Madamangala village in Bangarpet taluk of Kolar district. Venkataswamy had borrowed loans and cultivated tomato in about 1.5 acres of land and the miscreants have destroyed standing crop in about half an acre.

Venkataswamy was to harvest the tomato crop in about 4-5 days, but the plants were uprooted on Sunday night, leaving the farmer distraught. The Bangarpet police have visited the spot and registered a case. Further investigation is under way.