(a) the number and average holding capacity of cold storage plants in Andhra Pradesh, especially in the district of Chittoor as on date;
(b) whether it is true that farmers in Chittoor often face heavy losses in vegetables, especially tomato, due to lack of sufficient storage plants; and
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the average amount of investment a farmer makes per acre for growing tomato in Chittoor and the average profit a tomato farmer makes per acre in Chittoor?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a): Government of Andhra Pradesh reported that Andhra Pradesh has a total 359 Cold Storages with an average holding capacity of 5516 MT. Chittoor District has 21 Cold Storages with an average capacity of 5357 MT.
(b): Government of Andhra Pradesh reported that tomato being a climacteric fruit, cannot be stored in cold storages beyond a few days, hence losses incurred by the farmers are more due to market fluctuations, pre & post harvest management practices.
(c): Government of Andhra Pradesh reported that cost of cultivation of tomato per acre varies from Rs. 65,000/- to Rs. 1,30,000/- depending on pre-harvest management practices such as trailing, mulching, drip etc. The profit per acre varies from Rs. 30,000/- to Rs. 1,50,000/- based on the prevailing market.
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