Launch of Tomato Grand Challenge to Stabilize Tomato Prices, Benefiting Farmers and Consumers

The Government of India, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, initiated the 'Tomato Grand Challenge' hackathon. This competition invited innovative ideas across various stages of the tomato value chain. The challenge received an enthusiastic response from students, researchers, teachers, industry experts, startups, and professionals. A total of 1,376 ideas were submitted, and after a rigorous evaluation process, 28 ideas were selected for prototype development and mentorship with financial assistance.

Addressing Price Fluctuations through Tomato Grand Challenge:

India, the world’s second-largest producer of tomatoes, produces around 20 million metric tons annually. However, adverse weather conditions like excessive rainfall or sudden heat waves impact production and availability, resulting in significant price fluctuations. These challenges directly affect farmers' incomes, disrupt supply chains, and lead to considerable wastage. The Tomato Grand Challenge (TGC) was launched to find solutions to these critical issues.

Key Issues and Solutions Focused by the Challenge: The challenge aimed to leverage the talent of India’s young innovators and researchers to address key challenges in tomato production, processing, and distribution:

• Lack of climate-resilient seeds and poor farming practices.
• Insufficient cold storage facilities and improper handling.
• Lack of infrastructure for processing surplus tomatoes.
• Fragmented supply chains and the dominance of middlemen.
• Inconsistent access and absence of accurate demand forecasting tools, leading to price crashes and wastage.
• Limited use of modern technologies like precision farming and IoT-based monitoring.
• The need for cost-effective, innovative solutions to improve shelf life and reduce losses.

Improving Packaging and Transportation under the Tomato Grand Challenge:

Out of the 1,376 ideas submitted, 423 were shortlisted in the first phase. In the second phase, 29 ideas progressed, with 28 projects receiving financial assistance and mentorship. The progress of these projects was regularly monitored through site visits and reviews conducted by the TGC Evaluation Committee from AICTE and the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA).

14 patents, 4 design registrations/trademarks were filed, and 10 publications were prepared. Innovative packaging and transportation solutions for tomatoes were developed, which minimized post-harvest losses and extended the usability of tomatoes, ensuring year-round availability.

A Revolutionary Initiative for Farmers and Consumers: The results of the Tomato Grand Challenge promise to redefine the tomato value chain. This initiative will bring stability to the supply chain, reduce wastage, and increase profitability for all stakeholders. It showcases the power of collaboration and innovation, bringing together academia, industry, and government to pave the way for solutions to India’s agricultural challenges. The outcomes of the Tomato Grand Challenge will benefit both farmers and consumers alike.