FROM a high of P200 per kilo last month, tomato prices have gone down to as low as P80 per kilo.
Because of this low price, some farmers in Nueva Vizcaya have reportedly been dumping their tomato produce.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said they are now coordinating with their regional field offices in Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley to check on the reported surplus.
“Either ibigay sa Kadiwa (stores) or dalhin dito sa Metro Manila, tulungan doon sa mga trucking para makarating dito,” De Mesa said.
Based on the latest monitoring by the DA, tomato prices range from P80 to P120 per kilo.
To avoid a big surplus on vegetable harvest, the DA is looking at possible areas to put up agricultural infrastructures.
“Doon sa mga lugar na mga key production area, magkaroon ng tamang post-harvest and cold storages kasi those cold storages will prolong the life,” he said.
De Mesa added: “Kasi kung wala ‘yan, in a matter of days mahihinog agad, walang magawa ang farmer but to dispose it at a very low price.” (GMA Integrated News)
