High-Yielding Tomato Varieties for Indian Farmers: Pusa Rakshit, Pusa Tomato Hybrid-1, Pusa Cherry-1, and Pusa Golden Cherry Tomato-2

03 November 2025, New Delhi: As the Rabi season gains momentum across India, farmers are looking beyond traditional cereals and pulses to explore high-value vegetable crops like tomatoes. Leveraging scientific advancements and protected cultivation technologies, farmers can now achieve substantial profits even with small landholdings.

Among the most promising options are tomato varieties developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa, including Pusa Rakshit, Pusa Tomato Hybrid-1, Pusa Cherry-1, and Pusa Golden Cherry Tomato-2. These high-yielding and disease-tolerant varieties have shown exceptional potential under protected cultivation, enabling farmers to generate a net profit of up to ₹1.3 lakh from just 1000 square meters of land.

Protected cultivation, often using polyhouses or net houses, offers major advantages such as extended crop life, year-round production, and market-linked pricing. Unlike conventional tomato farming which typically lasts for only 3 to 4 months, these improved varieties grown under protected structures can bear fruit for as long as 10 to 11 months. This allows farmers to undertake continuous harvesting, reduce weather-related risks, and capitalize on high market demand during off-season periods.

Among these, Pusa Rakshit is a widely preferred hybrid tomato variety known for its robust growth, indeterminate nature, and high disease resistance, making it ideal for long-term cultivation in protected structures. Pusa Tomato Hybrid-1, often referred to as Protected-1, bears attractive, round fruits in clusters and is especially suited for premium markets due to its uniform size and bright red appearance. For farmers targeting gourmet and high-density markets, Pusa Cherry-1 and Pusa Golden Cherry Tomato-2 offer promising income opportunities. Pusa Cherry-1 produces glossy, red cherry tomatoes ideal for salads and exports, while Pusa Golden Cherry Tomato-2 is a golden-yellow variety rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C, making it a highly nutritious choice for health-conscious consumers.

In addition to advanced genetics, these varieties offer another cost-effective advantage. They can be propagated using stem cuttings instead of seeds. When planted in a soilless medium under controlled conditions, these cuttings develop roots in just 8 to 10 days and are ready for transplanting into the main structure within three weeks. This shortens the time needed to establish a crop, allowing farmers to optimize production cycles and reduce input costs.

Agricultural experts recommend a spacing of 50 centimeters between plants and 100 centimeters between rows for efficient plant growth in protected cultivation. Farmers are advised to train each plant using a single stem method to encourage vertical growth and maximize fruiting potential. This system enables better air circulation, easier harvesting, and lower disease incidence.

The combined use of high-yielding varieties, modern propagation techniques, and protected structures has the potential to transform tomato farming in India. Farmers who adopt this integrated approach are witnessing not only higher productivity but also greater market independence and profitability. By cultivating varieties like Pusa Rakshit, Pusa Tomato Hybrid-1, Pusa Cherry-1, and Pusa Golden Cherry Tomato-2, even small and marginal farmers can enhance their income streams and ensure year-round economic stability.

Protected cultivation is emerging as a vital tool for climate-resilient, high-value agriculture in India. As market trends shift in favor of premium and exotic vegetables, these improved tomato varieties from IARI are giving farmers an opportunity to increase profits sustainably while contributing to the growing domestic and global demand for high-quality produce.

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