Daijiworld Media Network - Kolar (MS)

Kolar, Feb 23: The central government has increased the import tax on products of Pakistan to 200% after the Pulwama terror attack. In Karnataka also the farmers are showing solidarity with the nation by not exporting the tomatoes to the neighbouring enemy.

The farmers of the district were exporting around 200 tonnes of tomato to Pakistan since many years. However, since many days tomatoes are not being exported to Pakistan from India, especially from Kolar. Because of this Pakistan is facing shortage of tomatoes. The price of tomato has crossed more than Rs 300 per kilo in Pakistan. The direct reason for this price hike is the non-exporting of tomatoes from Kolar.

After the Pulwama attack, India has stopped the export of all kinds of fruits and vegetables to Pakistan. Srinivas, a vegetable vendor of the main market of the district says, "Even if we incur loss, we do not mind. We will not sell even rotten tomatoes to them for any reason."

Due to the inclement weather, the rate of vegetables have sky rocketed in India itself. The agriculture produce market of the district has the pride of being the second largest market in Asia. The tomatoes of Kolar are exported to other states of the country and to foreign counties like Afghanistan and Japan. However, after the Pulwama attack things have changed when it comes to exporting fruits and vegetables to Pakistan.

Tomato is being grown over an area of 1500 hectares in the district. So this district is considered as the main supplier of tomatoes. The farmers, vendors and wholesale businessmen have taken an unilateral decision not to export tomatoes to Pakistan, even if it means loss to them.

On the whole, the stance taken by the farming fraternity of the district clearly shows that there is an inseparable relation between the farmers, who are the backbone of country's economy and the soldiers who put their lives on risk to guard the nation from enemies.