Two agri co-operatives Nafed and NCCF have geared themselves to ease the trouble of consumers arising out of the shortage and spiraling prices of tomatoes in the country. They have begun procuring Tomatoes from mandis in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra for distribution in major consumption centres.
According to a PIB release “The Department of Consumer Affairs has directed National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) to immediately procure Tomatoes for simultaneous distribution in major consumption centres where retail prices have recorded maximum increase in the last one month.”
The stocks of Tomato will be distributed through retail outlets at discounted prices to the consumers in Delhi-NCR region by Friday, this week, reads a govt release.
Nafed sources said that the agri co-op has begun the procurement from mandis of the said states and are moving them to designated locations. In a tweet the Nafed said “ The Nafed has procured tomatoes from Andhra Pradesh and is moving them to Bihar”.
Talking to the Indian Cooperative NCCF Chairman Vishal Singh said “We are ready and as per the direction of the Central Government, we have already started procuring tomatoes from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh”.
In fact, we procured tomatoes from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and are en route to Delhi, Lucknow and Kanpur, said Vishal adding that the tie-up with the suppliers is going on and we hope that in a few days the supply chain will be smooth.
Vishal further added that NCCF has a strong network in Maharashtra as well as Karnataka and it will sell tomatoes in Delhi-NCR at the rate of Rs 90 per Kg. It will also employ mobile vans and retail outlets in Delhi/NCR from this weekend onwards, Singh informed.
The targeted centres for release have been identified on the basis of absolute increase in retail prices over the past one month in centres where prevailing prices are above the All-India average. Tomato is produced almost in all the states in India, with Southern and Western regions being surplus states, fed to other markets depending on production seasons.
The cycle of planting and harvesting seasons and variations across regions are primarily responsible for price
seasonality in Tomato. Apart from the normal price seasonality, temporary supply chain disruptions and crop damage due to adverse weather conditions etc. often lead to sudden spikes in prices.
Currently, the supplies coming to markets in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and some other states are mostly from Maharashtra especially Satara, Narayangaon, and Nashik which is expected to last till this month end. Madanapalle (Chittoor) in Andhra Pradesh also has continued arrivals in reasonable quantities. The arrivals in Delhi-NCR are mainly from Himachal Pradesh and some quantity comes from Kolar in Karnataka.
New crop arrivals are expected soon from Nashik district. Furthermore, in August, additional supply is expected to come from Narayangaon and Aurangabad belt. Madhya Pradesh arrivals are also expected to start. Prices are anticipated to cool down in the near future, accordingly.
