Okara, Punjab: Tomato growers across Okara district are facing financial pressure as market prices continue to decline despite a healthy harvest. Farmers say that the sharp fall in prices has made it difficult to recover production costs.
According to local growers, expenses on fertilizers, certified seeds, pesticides, irrigation, transportation, and labor have increased significantly during the current season. However, wholesale market prices remain low, leaving many farmers with minimal profits.
Agricultural experts believe that an oversupply of tomatoes in local markets and limited storage facilities have contributed to the price decline. They stressed the importance of developing food processing industries and improving export opportunities to stabilize prices.
Farmers have appealed to the government to establish modern cold storage facilities and introduce policies that ensure fair returns for agricultural producers. They say such measures would help reduce waste and protect growers from sudden market fluctuations.
Experts also encouraged farmers to adopt modern cultivation techniques and diversify their crops to reduce financial risks associated with price volatility.
