PMK founder Dr. S. Ramadoss on Monday said that cold storages should be built in districts such as Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri where tomatoes were grown in substantial quantities by farmers who were hit by price fluctuation.

In a statement, he said the State government must fix minimum support prices for vegetables like tomatoes, create special zones and build infrastructure to store the produce. “These steps that are going to be taken should be explained in the upcoming debate on the Agricultural Budget. The tomato farmers, who have been affected so far, should be compensated,” he said .

Dr. Ramadoss said farmers did not benefit from rise in prices like the one that happened last November or December when the State faced heavy rains. “Even when one kg was sold at ₹160 last November or December, the farmer only got ₹35,” he added.