Tomato trek: As prices rocket, Uttarakhand residents go shopping in Nepal

PITHORAGRAH: The sky-high price of tomatoes over the past month across India has driven many people along the India-Nepal border in Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand to cross over and buy tomatoes there, reports Prem Punetha.

Residents of Dharchula and Banbasa, close to the border, go to Nepal for tomatoes that cost nearly half their current price in India. Tomatoes are selling at Rs 130 to Rs 120 per kg in India, while they cost around Rs 100 to Rs 110 Nepali rupees (which is Rs 62 to Rs 69 in India). According to Kamal Joshi, a resident of Darchula in Nepal, said Nepal businessmen are earning double their usual income for vegetables. Nepal’s farmers realised that monsoons usually push up vegetable prices in India.

Nepal harvesting benefits of crop diversification

Nepal’s farmers realised that monsoons usually push up vegetable prices in India. Over the past few years, the government incentivised farmers to ‘diversify their crops’, asking people to grow vegetables instead of grains. The Nepal government formed farmer groups, provided them with seeds, fertilisers and polyhouses and gave them several agri subsidies. Now, many Nepali farmers grow seasonal and non-seasonal vegetables, including tomatoes, and are now benefiting from the high prices of the crop in India,” he said.

Joshi added that these farmers have been growing cauliflowers and spinach and supplying to Indian markets whenever there’s a shortage or price rise. Cross-border trade is common in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts of Uttarakhand, which are close to Nepal border. People from both sides cross bridges to go to markets in the other country.

Surendra Kumar, a vegetable seller and local traders’ union head from Jhulaghat in Pithoragarh, said, “Apart from residents, traders have also started buying tomatoes from Nepal. Some local traders recently bought tomatoes in bulk at a wholesale rate of Rs 40 per kg. Normally, potatoes, onions, etc. are sent from Indiato Nepal as we grow more of those. But the tables seem to have turned now.” Sankar Dhami, a Nepali, said, “The exchange rate also plays a key role in Indians rushing to Nepal to buy tomatoes. Nepali traders prefer dealing in Indian rupees as itmeans more Nepali rupees for them.”

Pithoragarh DM Reena Joshi said, “People of both sides usually cross the border and buy items of daily need in limited quantities. Security agencies check these purchases.”