Science & Tech

Indian Scientists Working on New Climate, Pest-Resilient Tomato Variety

© AP Photo / Anupam Nathtomatoes
tomatoes - Sputnik India, 1920, 13.11.2023
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Indian scientists are working on a new variety of tomatoes that are weather- and disease-resistant, withstanding high day temperatures and low night temperatures.
Indian scientists from Gandhi Krishi Vignan Kendra (GKVK), and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) are revolutionising tomato cultivation methods in order to tackle the problem of skyrocketing tomato prices.

This year, the price of tomatoes has soared five-fold, surpassing INR 300 ($3.60) per kg, as a result of climate change's impact on tomato production.

Working towards empowering farmers with advanced research techniques, Dr Maheswarappa HP, the Director of Research at the University of Horticultural Sciences, said that they are developing a novel, climate-resilient, and pest-resistant variety.
Dr Maheswarappa said that they are also looking at Public Private Partnership (PPP) models in the coming days.
Talking about how climate change impacts tomato production, a scientist from ICAR- IIHR explained that often when day temperatures rise over 30 degrees Celsius and fall below 21 degrees Celsius at night, flowers drop, affecting overall tomato production.

To reduce the impact of climate change, scientists are trying to develop a new variety that will withstand a temperature of up to 38 degrees Celsius and even lower than 18 degrees Celsius at night.

The new hybrid variant will also keep the tomato's taste intact.
The cost of current hybrid seeds is around INR 300- 400 ($3.60- $4.80) per 10 grams, so for an acre, a farmer needs around 20 grams of seeds.
Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra are the leading states when it comes to tomato production. However, the new climate-resilient variety will not be limited to these regions, instead, it will have the potential to bring immense benefits to farmers all across India scientists said.
Indian farmers harvest tomatoes at a farm along the River Brahmaputra on the outskirts of Gauhati, India, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. - Sputnik India, 1920, 17.10.2023
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