Recently, the government has announced the Tomato Grand Challenge Hackathon. The hackathon’s aim is to generate innovative concepts to improve the tomato value chain.
Key Points
- The Department of Consumer Affairs, in collaboration with the M/o Education (Innovation Cell), has announced the Tomato Grand Challenge (TGC) hackathon.
- This initiative aims to invite innovative ideas across the tomato value chain to ensure affordable prices for consumers and better value for tomato farmers.
- The Grand Challenge invites ideas on comprehensive and focused area interventions in the tomato value chain.
- With the participation of students, researchers, industry individuals, start-ups, and professionals, the challenge seeks comprehensive interventions in areas such as cropping, market insights, cultivar selection, value-addition, transportation, packaging, and storage.
- The entry of participants for the TGC is invited under two tracks, namely, (i) Students, Research Scholars and Faculty Members and (ii) Industry individuals, Indian start-ups, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Limited Liability Partnership (LLPs), Professionals.
Tomato Production in India
- Tomatoes are cultivated in almost all states of India, with the southern and western regions accounting for the majority of production, contributing 56%-58% of the country’s total. As surplus states, they supply tomatoes to other markets depending on the production seasons.
- The peak harvesting season for tomatoes occurs from December to February, while July-August and October-November are lean production months.
- The monsoon season in July adds further challenges to distribution, resulting in increased transit losses and price rises.
- The cyclical nature of planting and harvesting, combined with regional variations, is primarily responsible for the price seasonality of tomatoes.
- Apart from the normal price seasonality, temporary supply chain disruptions and crop damage due to adverse weather conditions, etc., often led to sudden spikes in prices.
Innovating the Tomato Value Chain
The Tomato Grand Challenge Hackathon presents a unique opportunity to address the challenges faced by the tomato value chain in India. By inviting ideas and solutions from various stakeholders, the government aims to find innovative interventions that can benefit both consumers and farmers.
Cropping and Cultivar Selection
Improving cropping techniques and cultivar selection can significantly impact tomato production. Participants in the hackathon can propose innovative methods for maximizing yield, reducing crop damage, and enhancing disease resistance. By identifying suitable cultivars for different regions and seasons, farmers can optimize their harvest and improve overall productivity.
Market Insights and Value-Addition
Effective market insights play a crucial role in ensuring that tomatoes reach the right markets at the right time. Participants can develop solutions that provide real-time market information, helping farmers make informed decisions about pricing and distribution. Additionally, value-addition techniques such as processing and preserving tomatoes can help farmers extend the shelf life of their produce and reduce post-harvest losses.
Transportation, Packaging, and Storage
Transportation, packaging, and storage are critical components of the tomato value chain. Developing innovative transportation methods, such as refrigerated trucks or cold chain logistics, can help maintain the quality of tomatoes during transit. Efficient packaging solutions that prevent damage and spoilage can also contribute to reducing losses. Furthermore, exploring advanced storage techniques like controlled atmosphere storage can extend the shelf life of tomatoes, enabling farmers to sell their produce at better prices.
Collaboration and Partnerships
The Tomato Grand Challenge Hackathon encourages collaboration among participants from diverse backgrounds. By bringing together students, researchers, industry individuals, start-ups, and professionals, the hackathon fosters a culture of innovation and knowledge-sharing. Such collaborations can lead to the development of holistic and sustainable solutions that address the challenges faced by the tomato value chain.
