Bhilai: After the Pahalgam terrorist attack and Operation Sindoor, amid the increased tension between India and Pakistan, the farmers of Dhamdha in Durg district have stopped the export of tomatoes to Pakistan. The farmers of Dhamdha have stopped sending tomatoes to Pakistan to give a message to the neighbouring country.
1.10 lakh MT of tomatoes used to be exported to Pakistan
In Chhattisgarh, tomatoes are grown in the Dhamdha block in the maximum area of 9514 hectares. 1.90 lakh metric tons of tomatoes are produced annually. 99 percent of the farmers of this area used to send 1.10 lakh metric tons of tomatoes to Pakistan through brokers. This has now been stopped.
Export to Pakistan stopped
Ajay Solanki, a farmer in Dhamdha block, has grown tomato crop on 16 acres of land. He said that he does not sell tomatoes locally. His tomatoes were being sent to Pakistan. After Operation Sindoor, he took a decision on his own and stopped exporting. He is now sending tomatoes to other states.
Other farmers of the area, who earlier used to sell their tomato in the neighboring country, have stopped the export.
A special variety of tomatoes is also grown here
Dhamdha block of Durg district is famous in Chhattisgarh state for bumper production of tomatoes. A special variety of tomatoes is also grown here which is durable. It has the ability to withstand the weather. Therefore, there is a demand for it in Pakistan and Bangladesh and it is being transported from here. The resolve taken by the farmers not to send tomatoes to Pakistan is an example for the country.
There are hundreds of farmers who have pledged not to send tomatoes to Pakistan. They say that they grow tomatoes every year. These farmers told that tomatoes are being sold to traders of Nagpur, Nashik, Uttar Pradesh, Noida, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh.
Prakash Kumar Pandey