Maharashtra farmer earns over Rs 2.8 crore selling tomatoes amid rising prices, expects Rs 3.5 cr more

In the midst of soaring tomato prices nationwide, a farmer from Maharashtra's Pune district has made headlines by claiming to have earned more than Rs 2.8 crore through tomato sales. Ishwar Gayakar, along with his wife, hailing from Pune's Junnar taluka, has set an ambitious target of reaching Rs 3.5 crore with their current stock of approximately 4,000 crates of tomatoes.

Reflecting on his years of hard work, Gayakar emphasised that his success did not come overnight. Cultivating tomatoes on his 12-acre farm for the past six to seven years, he encountered setbacks and losses but remained resolute in his efforts. Despite facing a loss of around Rs 18–20 lakh in 2021, Gayakar persevered and continued his pursuit.

Gayakar shared that he had cultivated tomatoes on 12 acres, selling approximately 17,000 crates priced between Rs 770 and Rs 2,311 per crate. He has earned Rs 2.8 crore so far and is expecting to get around Rs 3.5 crore from the remaining stock of 3,000 to 4,000 crates.


Gayakar credited the blessings of his parents and grandparents, as well as the hard work of his wife, who works alongside him on the farm. He conveyed his family's joy and satisfaction with the prices they received for their tomatoes.

Gayakar revealed that he had initially expected to sell tomatoes for around Rs 30 per kilogramme, but the current season turned out to be exceptionally profitable for him.

Having engaged in farming since 2005, Gayakar inherited the trade from his father and now works on the farm with his wife. Initially cultivating tomatoes on just one acre, they expanded to 12 acres in 2017 when labour availability increased. Apart from tomatoes, Gayakar also grows onions and flowers during their respective seasons.

Meanwhile, in a bid to give consumers some relief, the central government has started selling tomatoes via cooperative societies at a wholesale price of Rs 90 per kilogramme. Currently, the National Agriculture Cooperation Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and the National Consumer Cooperation Federation (NCCF) are selling tomatoes at wholesale prices in key markets.