Farmers dump tomatoes in protest at Maitighar, citing government neglect

Vegetable growers staged a protest in Kathmandu on Wednesday, dumping tomatoes at Maitighar Mandala to voice their grievances against the government. The farmers accused the administration of neglecting domestic agriculture through insufficient subsidies and prioritizing import policies.

Their demonstration comes as official data from the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market Development Board reveals alarmingly low prices for their produce. The bulletin showed the minimum wholesale price for small local tomatoes at just Rs8 per kg, with an average of Rs9.50 per kg. Even tomatoes from tunnel farming fetched only Rs14.60 per kg on average, while larger Nepali tomatoes averaged Rs38.75 per kg.

The farmers argue that this disparity, coupled with a lack of government support, makes it impossible to sustain their livelihoods and forces them to take drastic measures to be heard.

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The farmers said the government's neglect of domestic agriculture had forced them to take to the streets in protest.