Centre Launches ‘Tomato Grand Challenge Hackathon’ to Tackle Soaring Prices

The Indian government has taken a proactive step to address the ongoing concerns surrounding the skyrocketing prices of tomatoes across the country. 

In a bid to find effective solutions, the Centre has announced the launch of the 'Tomato Grand Challenge hackathon'. This initiative aims to encourage individuals to share innovative ideas that can assist the government in ensuring the availability of tomatoes at reasonable prices in urban areas, while also ensuring fair remuneration for farmers.

Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, unveiled the 'Tomato Grand Challenge' hackathon, which is the result of a collaboration between the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell and the Department of Consumer Affairs.

The hackathon intends to address various aspects of the tomato value chain, including insights into cropping and market trends for farmers, identification of suitable cultivars (open-pollinated varieties or hybrids) with improved shelf-life for fresh markets, selection of cultivars specifically designed for processing, interventions to enhance shelf-life and transportation of fresh and processed products, and innovative packaging and storage solutions.

The challenge invites participation from students, research scholars, faculty members, industry professionals, start-ups, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), LLPs (Limited Liability Partnerships), and other interested individuals who can contribute their innovative ideas.

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The winning ideas will be evaluated by experts, and subsequent steps will involve prototype development and field implementation to ensure their usability and scalability on a large scale, with a focus on achieving an affordable end product.

The recent surge in tomato prices can be attributed to factors such as the delayed onset of the monsoon and the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy, which have adversely affected tomato harvesting in various regions. Government officials and vendors have reassured consumers that the price surge is temporary and that prices are expected to stabilize once harvesting commences in other areas. However, reports indicate that tomato prices have increased from Rs 25 to Rs 41 in retail markets, with cities like Bengaluru experiencing prices as high as Rs 120 per kilogram.

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Through the 'Tomato Grand Challenge' hackathon, the government aims to tackle these challenges and develop sustainable solutions for ensuring a consistent and affordable supply of tomatoes to consumers while supporting the farmers in obtaining fair prices for their produce.

The hackathon serves as a platform for collective efforts and innovative ideas to address the current situation, and it is expected to foster collaboration between stakeholders, research institutions, and the government. The successful implementation of these ideas has the potential to enhance the efficiency of the tomato supply chain and mitigate price fluctuations, benefiting both farmers and consumers.

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