Centre Provides Funding to 28 Innovators of ‘Tomato Grand Challenge’

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 22nd Nov. The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with the Innovation Cell, Ministry of Education, has announced funding for 28 innovators under the Tomato Grand Challenge (TGC), a hackathon designed to address systemic challenges in India’s tomato supply chain.

Launched on June 30, 2023, the Tomato Grand Challenge invited innovative solutions targeting various aspects of the tomato value chain. The initiative received a remarkable 1,376 ideas from students, researchers, start-ups, and professionals across India. After a rigorous evaluation process, 28 projects were selected for prototype development and mentorship, according to Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, during her interaction with the media today.

India is the world’s second-largest producer of tomatoes, with an annual output of 20 million metric tons. However, adverse weather conditions, such as excessive rains and heat waves, often result in significant price fluctuations, affecting farmers’ incomes and disrupting the supply chain. The Tomato Grand Challenge aims to find scalable solutions to address these challenges, ensuring a more stable and resilient tomato supply chain.

The challenge focuses on six main areas:

1. Pre-Production: Overcoming limited access to climate-resilient seeds and improving agronomic practices.
2. Post-Harvest Loss: Reducing spoilage through better cold storage and handling.
3. Processing & Value Addition: Enhancing infrastructure for surplus tomato processing.
4. Supply Chain: Tackling inefficiencies caused by fragmented supply chains and middlemen.
5. Market Access & Demand Forecasting: Providing tools for better market access and price stability.
6. Technological Adoption: Promoting the use of modern agricultural technologies like precision farming and IoT-based monitoring.

A total of 423 ideas made it to Round 1 of the challenge, with 29 progressing to Round 2. The final evaluation, held in October 2024, resulted in the selection of 28 projects that were provided with funding and mentorship. The evaluation was conducted by a panel of experts from AICTE and DoCA, focusing on the projects’ relevance, scalability, and innovation.

The Tomato Grand Challenge has already led to significant outcomes, with 14 patents in process, 4 design registrations, 10 publications, and multiple innovations in packaging and transportation to extend shelf life and reduce losses. These innovations promise to revolutionize the tomato value chain, helping to reduce waste, improve market stability, and increase profitability for all stakeholders involved.