Lockdown effect: Tomatoes rot in Wokha

Our Correspondent
Wokha, April 27 (EMN): The nationwide lockdown imposed by the government of India to control the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) transmission took a huge toll on tomato farmers in Bhandari area in Wokha district with their produce rotting after business activities came to a standstill.

A video of tomatoes rotting in a farm in Longjung village is also being widely circulated on all social media platforms.

Longjung village chairman Rabemo Lotha told Eastern Mirror that tomatoes growing in a farm measuring 1440 sqft perished due to the lockdown. He informed he used to earn around INR 3 lakh in the previous years with neighbouring sate Assam purchasing 70 per cent and the people of the state consuming the remaining 30 per cent.

He lamented that there were no buyers during the lockdown though vehicles can ply through Nagaland foothill road without connecting Assam. He also informed that there is no farmers union or agriculture allied assistance to export vegetables by connecting with market chain, which is costing the farmers residing in a lowland area dear. He added that farming is the prime source of income for many in the region.

It is also reported that tomato farmers of Khumcho Yan, Serika, Pangtong, Roni Old, Sungkha, Lio Wokha, Hayi Yan, Suphayan, Liphi and Ruchan villages too faced a similar situation as in Bhandari due the lockdown.