The Department of Consumer Affairs has funded 28 groundbreaking ideas under the Tomato Grand Challenge to address tomato price fluctuations and minimize crop loss. These innovative and cost-effective technologies aim to reduce waste while increasing the value of tomato crops.
According to Nidhi Khare, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, the solutions will be economical, adding just Re 1 or 50 paise per kilogram to the cost. Remarkably, even tomato waste will gain value through these advancements.
India is the world’s second-largest producer of tomatoes, yielding 20 million metric tons annually. However, only 1% of this is processed, compared to 60-70% in other countries. Last year, India imported $20 million worth of processed tomatoes, with 70% coming from China.
The government’s initiative seeks to enhance India’s tomato processing capacity from the current 1% to 70%. This move is expected to reduce imports, improve supply chain efficiency, and stabilize volatile tomato prices. Food businesses stand to benefit significantly from the increased availability of processed tomatoes, reduced wastage, and cost-effective processing solutions.
The department has confirmed that prototypes of the funded technologies are ready, and efforts are now focused on scaling these innovations. This initiative is set to revolutionize India’s tomato industry and boost the domestic food processing sector.
For food businesses, adopting these technologies can open new opportunities, reduce reliance on imports, and align with sustainable practices.
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