Rising tomato prices: Pune farmer becomes millionaire, earns crores in one month

While the soaring prices of tomatoes are burning a hole in the common man's pocket, a farmer from Pune in Maharashtra has become a millionaire by selling his bountiful yield of the key kitchen staple.

Farmer Ishwar Gaykar (36), from Pachghar village in Junnar tehsil of Pune district, made ₹3 crore in just over a month while overcoming various challenges.

Gaykar had faced a difficult decision of dumping a large quantity of harvested tomatoes in May this year due to low prices.

Also read/watch| Tomato prices: Government cuts price of subsidised tomato to Rs 70/kg

Undeterred by the setback, he continued to exhibit unwavering determination and work tirelessly on his 12-acre farm to cultivate tomatoes.

Now, amid the skyrocketing prices of tomatoes, Gaykar's hard work has paid off handsomely, transforming him into a millionaire as he claimed to have earned Rs three crore through the sale of his crop yield between June 11 and July 18.

Govt sells tomatoes at subsidised price

The National Cooperative Consumers' Federation (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) last week started selling tomatoes at a discounted rate of Rs 90 per kg in Delhi-NCR and Patna in a bid to provide relief to consumers amid the high prices.

The Centre had directed the two cooperatives to procure tomatoes from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra for distribution in major consumption centres, where retail prices have recorded maximum increase in the last month.