The agri-economists of GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology have forecast that farmers are likely to receive the maximum prices for hill-tomato- upto Rs 1,200 per quintal in October 2013. The forecast has been made as a result of study conducted under a sub-project of National Agriculture Innovation Project (NAIP) of Indian Council of Agriculture Research. In another development, as part of its efforts to diversify research, the GBPUAT has decided to establish a Honey Research Centre.
This NAIP project on establishing and networking of market intelligence centers in India funded by World Bank at GBPUAT is also aimed at making price forecasts ahead of sowing of selected agricultural commodities and during harvesting. The research team of Pantnagar had conducted market survey of Haldwani regulated market, a major market for hill-tomato in Uttarakhand, and analysed the wholesale price data prevailed for last 23 years in this market.
Taking into account the results of the econometric analysis, traders’ view and the present rainfall situation, it has been forecasted that the price of hill-tomato will be ranging between 1000 and 1150 rupees per quintal at farm level during August and September 2013 while it may increase slightly to 1050-1200 rupees per quintal in October 2013.
Hence, the scientists have advised farmers to take sowing decision as per the price forecast. Tomato is a major vegetable widely produced throughout Uttarakhand where it is grown both in mountains as well as in plains. Nainital, Dehradun, US Nagar and Haridwar are the four major districts producing tomatoes and constitute about 63 percent of the total production in the state.
Meanwhile, the university, director of research, Dr JP Singh said that the honey research centre will be the 14th research centre of the university and will be established on 31 acres land in the university farm.