Tomato farmer installs CCTV to prvent theft

As tomato prices soar to Rs 130 per kg, farmers are facing a new challenge of protecting their valuable produce from theft. Instances of thieves stealing the expensive vegetable from farms and stalls have been reported, prompting farmers to take measures to counter this menace. Krishnappa Jogappanavar, a farmer in Akki Alur village of Hanagal taluk, has installed a CCTV camera at his family farm and roadside shop to prevent theft.

Krishnappa, who cultivates vegetables on his small farmland for his livelihood, sells his produce at his roadside shop and local vegetable markets. With a bumper tomato crop this season, he has taken precautions to safeguard his tomatoes. Placing a CCTV camera on the tomato heap at his shop in the Akki Aluru weekly vegetable market, he aims to deter potential thieves and protect his valuable crop.

"Tomatoes are now fetching high prices, and the CCTV technology is helping me prevent theft of this valuable vegetable," Krishnappa stated. Each tomato now costs at least Rs 10, making them an attractive target for thieves. By using a battery-powered CCTV camera, Krishnappa ensures that he can attend to customers while keeping an eye on his produce, minimizing the risk of theft.


Krishnappa isn't the only one who is taking such drastic measures to protect his crop of tomatoes. Earlier, a vegetable vendor in Varanasi, Ajay Fauji, enlisted the services of bouncers to prevent potential violence and tomato thefts at his shop.

Fauji said that many have turned to aggressive behaviour and even blatant tomato stealing because of the sky-high tomato pricing. He made the decision to hire bouncers as a deterrent since he was determined to avoid any conflicts at his stand.