Tomato Grand Challenge Hackathon

The government’s recent announcement of the Tomato Grand Challenge (TGC) hackathon has sparked excitement and enthusiasm within the agricultural and innovation sectors. Led by the Department of Consumer Affairs and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (Innovation Cell), the TGC aims to revolutionize the tomato value chain in India.  

Purpose of the TGC 

The primary objective of the TGC hackathon is to promote innovation and affordability throughout the tomato value chain. By inviting creative ideas and interventions, the government aims to ensure the availability of tomatoes at reasonable prices for consumers and facilitate increased value for tomato farmers. 

Participation and Application 

Interested participants can take part in the TGC through two distinct tracks. The first track welcomes students, research scholars, and faculty members, encouraging the young minds of the country to contribute their ideas. The second track invites industry individuals, start-ups, MSMEs, LLPs, and professionals with valuable insights and experience in the field. Applications for the TGC can be submitted through the dedicated portal. 

Focus Areas for Interventions 

The TGC emphasizes comprehensive and focused interventions within the tomato value chain. These interventions include cropping and market insights, identification of appropriate cultivars for fresh and processing purposes, improvements in shelf-life, transportation enhancements, innovative packaging, and advanced storage solutions. 

Potential Impact and Evaluation 

Winning ideas generated through the TGC will undergo rigorous evaluation by experts. Promising concepts will then be developed into prototypes and implemented on a large scale, with careful consideration given to usability, scalability, and pricing. This process ensures that innovative solutions have a practical impact on the tomato value chain. 

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2023

Category: India Nation & States Current Affairs