Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, S Ravneet Singh Bittu, announced plans to boost tomato production and paste manufacturing in Punjab. This initiative involves collaboration between his ministry, Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation, and Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL). The announcement was made during Bittu’s visit to the HUL plant in Rajpura, Punjab.

The HUL facility in Rajpura requires 11,423 tonnes of tomato paste annually for ketchup production. However, it currently sources only 50 metric tonnes from Punjab. Despite producing tomatoes with the best colour quality in India, Punjab supplies just 2% of the total requirement. “With assured fair prices, our farmers can significantly increase production,” Bittu stated.

Enhancing Tomato Cultivation

Bittu proposed involving Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana to develop hybrid tomato seeds that meet international standards. This step aims to enhance local cultivation and production. An official statement highlighted this proposal as part of efforts to improve the state’s tomato sector.

Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra’s successful tomato processing industry, Bittu questioned why Punjab couldn’t achieve similar success. He assured that the Centre would fully support Punjab farmers venturing into tomato cultivation. This initiative seeks to create synergy between government institutions and the private sector.

Senior government officials were present during Bittu’s visit to Rajpura. These included Patiala Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav and Ministry of Food Processing Industries representative JP Dongare. Their presence underscored the importance of this initiative for the region’s agricultural development.

The collaboration aims to strengthen Punjab’s position in tomato production and processing. By leveraging the expertise of both government bodies and private enterprises, the state hopes to tap into its untapped potential in this sector. This effort could lead to increased economic opportunities for local farmers.

The minister emphasized that with proper support and fair pricing, Punjab’s farmers could significantly boost their tomato output. This would not only meet local demand but also position the state as a leader in tomato production across India.