- Tomato growers protest over low prices
- Farmers seek MSP and stronger policy support
Nepali tomato farmers staged a protest in Kathmandu on 15 July by dumping tomatoes onto the roads, highlighting mounting losses caused by low farmgate prices and the lack of supportive agricultural policies. Farmers said they have been unable to recover production costs as weak market prices and rising imports continue to affect domestic sales.
Low prices and imports trigger farmer protest
According to the protesting farmers, the government’s agricultural policies have failed to provide adequate subsidies, ensure fair prices for farm produce, or establish a reliable market for local growers. They claimed that import-oriented policies have further weakened the domestic tomato sector, with cheaper imported vegetables flooding the market and making it difficult for Nepali farmers to compete.
Growers said large volumes of locally produced tomatoes remain unsold, leaving many unable to recover their cultivation expenses. During the demonstration, farmers dumped tomatoes onto the streets as a symbolic protest against the worsening market situation.
Farmers seek policy support and market reforms
The protesting farmers urged the government to immediately implement a minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural commodities to protect producer incomes. They also demanded higher subsidies, easier access to fertilisers and quality seeds, improved market management, and policy measures that prioritise domestic agricultural production over imports. According to the farmers, these measures are essential to improve market access, reduce dependence on imports, and restore profitability for Nepal’s tomato growers.
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