(SPOT.ph) An apparent overabundance in their tomato harvest forced farmers in Kalayaan, Laguna, to dump their crops, as tweeted by ABS-CBN News on October 8. More than 10 tons of tomatoes were discarded because traders in Manila and Quezon City reportedly returned the small tomatoes due to oversupply, amounting to P4 million in lost revenue for the farmers.
Sana pinamigay na lang kaysa tinapon. Sayang kasi.... Meron at meron tatanggap pa nyan pag libre. Kahit mura na lang sya, maraming pa rin gutom sa Pilipinas. Although may ibat-iba silang dahilan.
— Jamer Lobusta (@j_lobusta) October 9, 2018
According to Department of Agriculture-Calarbarzon director Arnel De Mesa, however, the farmers didn't suffer any losses because they've already profited and their harvest has been good for the past three months. Sitaw, kalabasa, and ampalaya seeds will be distributed to the farmers to substitute their crops.
Still, we can’t help thinking that there has to be a better way to get rid of excess or unwanted products other than throwing them in a pit, burning them, or flat-out destroying them. Over on Twitter, people are sharing their thoughts on this decision to merely dump the tomatoes.
Sa dami ng nagugutom ay nakakalungkot na lang makakita ng pagkaing nasasayang.
— jose romero (@romerojo7) October 9, 2018
80 per kilo kamatis tapos daming nasasayang, wag tangkilikin ang imported na kamatis, unahin ang galing sa magsasaka natin.
— Russell Red Bagani (@russredbagani) October 8, 2018
AY GAGU SAAN BANDA TO???????? akin nalang please huhu i love kamatis https://t.co/hPUfH0D9W9
— precious '?' #DMUMT (@preiixoxo) October 9, 2018
With people who are going hungry and would appreciate free produce, let's keep our fingers crossed that the next time something similar happens, the situation is handled better.
this strange new world.