Panaji: Tomato prices in parts of Goa have surged to Rs 65 per kg, with traders and agriculture officials attributing the spike to intense summer heat that has disrupted production and supply in neighbouring Karnataka. Goa heavily depends on Karnataka, particularly Belagavi, for tomato supplies, making the state vulnerable to fluctuations in production there.
Impact of Summer Heat on Tomato Yield
Local vegetable vendor Sajid Sheikh noted that harsh weather conditions have severely affected tomato yields this season. "Our suppliers from Belagavi have projected a very tough season. With a serious tomato shortage at their level, it would be difficult to accommodate enough tomatoes for local consumption in Goa," Sheikh said.
Agriculture department officials explained that tomatoes, typically cultivated as a rabi (winter) crop, are difficult to grow during peak summer due to high temperatures that damage flowering and reduce fruit formation. Deputy director of agriculture, Dattaprasad Desai, stated that earlier attempts to cultivate tomatoes in the state using polyhouses were unsuccessful. "High temperatures cause delicate tomato flowers to dry up, affecting fruit formation and reducing output. Previous attempts to grow tomatoes in Goa inside polyhouses proved fruitless, as the crop would begin to wilt," Desai told TOI.
Dependence on Neighbouring States and Future Plans
Desai further mentioned that the state continues to rely on neighbouring states for supply, though experiments with tomato grafts are underway to improve local cultivation in the future. "We have been experimenting with tomato grafts. However, it may take a while before we achieve self-sufficiency," he said.
Relief for Consumers
The tomato price rise has further strained household budgets amid an increase in vegetable prices during the summer season. However, consumers are finding some relief at subsidised outlets operated by the Goa State Horticulture Corporation Limited (GSHCL), where tomatoes are being sold at Rs 42 per kg.
