The Department of Consumer Affairs has funded 28 innovative solutions through its Tomato Grand Challenge initiative, designed to tackle the ongoing issue of crop loss in tomato production. The challenge was launched to find cost-effective and innovative ways to reduce waste and add value to tomatoes. The selected ideas, which cover a range of technological and processing methods, are seen as key to improving the efficiency of the tomato value chain.

India, one of the world’s largest producers of tomatoes, faces significant losses due to factors such as spoilage, improper storage, and limited shelf life. The government has recognized that addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring that farmers get better returns and that consumers have consistent access to fresh tomatoes.

Among the 28 shortlisted solutions, a variety of approaches have been proposed, from advanced storage technologies to value-added products like tomato paste and dried tomatoes. By focusing on reducing post-harvest losses, these ideas seek to improve the economic stability of tomato farmers while enhancing the availability and affordability of tomatoes for consumers.

The funding from the Department of Consumer Affairs aims to support the implementation of these solutions on the ground. If successful, the initiative could set a precedent for addressing similar issues with other agricultural products, leading to more sustainable and profitable farming practices in the future.