Mysuru, June 17 -- * Frustrated farmers throw loads of ripened tomatoes in Bandipalya APMC Yard as demand falls.

* Early rains to blame

The tomato, which once brought a windfall for farmers, has now dented the fortunes of the agrarian community.

Aggrieved farmers are dumping truckloads of tomatoes, especially the jam variety, onto streets and market yards, unable to earn any profit at present.

The Bandipalya APMC yard on Mysuru-Nanjangud Road, which receives tonnes of tomatoes and other vegetables daily, now paints a grim picture. The monsoon showers have worsened the situation by increasing soil moisture content, affecting tomato crops.

Due to intermittent rainfall, tomato plantations have been hit hard, forcing farmers to harvest o...