Constraints faced by tomato farmers in the value chain

Production

1. High cost of fertilizers and pesticides

2. High prevalence of pests and diseases

3. Unforeseen weather (lack of rainfall, floods, etc)

4. Low yield due to poor soil fertility

5. Labour shortage

6. High wage rate

7. Shortage of electricity

Marketing

1. Realizing low price for produce

2. High marketing cost

3. Facing difficulties in selling produce

4. Long distance to the market

5. Inadequate market infrastructure

6. Limited market information

7. Lack of access to processing plants

8. Limited access to modern market

Constraints faced by various intermediaries involved in the tomato value chain

Commission agents

1. Lack of market infrastructure ( roads, toilets, other facilities etc.)

2. Congested and unhygienic marketplace

3. Lack of grading by farmers

4. High market fees

5. Labour shortage

6. Delay in receiving payments from buyers

7. Price fluctuations

8. Presence of unlicensed traders within the market

9. Lack of banking facilities at the APMC

Wholesalers

1. Lack of market infrastructure (roads, toilets, other facilities, etc.)

2. Congested and unhygienic marketplace

3. Lack of storage facilities (godowns, cold storages, etc.)

4. Lack of grading by farmers

5. Damage during transportation

6. High cost of transportation

7. Labour shortage

8. Lack of access to processing industries

9. Delay in receiving payments from buyers

10. Price fluctuations

Unorganised retailers

1. Lack of market infrastructure (roads, toilets, other facilities etc.)

2. Price fluctuations

3. Lack of storage facilities (godowns, cold storages, etc.)

4. High transportation cost

5. Wastage

6. Congested and unhygienic marketplace

7. Unforeseen weather conditions

Organised retailers

1. Lack of grading by farmers

2. Violation of contract by farmers under contract farming

3. Damage during transportation (transpiration, shrinkage, etc)

Processors

1. Underutilization of the plant

2. non-availability of processing suitable quality and varieties of tomatoes