Tomato Grand Challenge: Centre funds 28 innovations out of 1,376 ideas
On 22 November 2024 in New Delhi, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said 28 ideas under the Tomato Grand Challenge have been funded for prototype development and mentorship, out of 1,376 received.
Summary
On 22 November 2024 in New Delhi, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said the Tomato Grand Challenge — a hackathon run by the Department of Consumer Affairs with the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell to stabilise the tomato supply chain — had received 1,376 ideas. Of these, 423 were shortlisted in Round 1, 29 moved to Round 2, and 28 projects received funding for prototype development and mentorship. The challenge covered pre-production, post-harvest loss, processing, supply chain, demand forecasting, technology and packaging. India, the world's second-largest tomato producer, produces about 20 million metric tonnes a year, and weather shocks cause sharp price swings.
Key facts
- Run by
- Dept of Consumer Affairs + MoE Innovation Cell
- Ideas received
- 1,376
- Shortlisted
- 423 (Round 1) → 29 (Round 2)
- Funded
- 28 projects
- India's tomato output
- ~20 MMT/yr; 2nd-largest producer
Practice MCQs 2 questions
How many projects under the Tomato Grand Challenge received funding for prototype development and mentorship, as announced on 22 November 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 28
PIB (Consumer Affairs): of 1,376 ideas, 423 were shortlisted in Round 1, 29 reached Round 2 and 28 projects received funding and mentorship.
The Tomato Grand Challenge was launched by the Department of Consumer Affairs in collaboration with which body?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Innovation Cell, Ministry of Education
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the Department of Consumer Affairs, in collaboration with the Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Education, initiated the Tomato Grand Challenge hackathon.