Centre directs Nafed, NCCF to procure tomato from AP, Karnataka

The Centre on Wednesday directed cooperatives Nafed and NCCF to procure tomatoes from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra for 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 from July 14, the Consumer Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
Retail prices of tomatoes have soared up to Rs 200 per kg in several parts of the country due to supply disruption caused by heavy rains in the country.
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) will undertake the procurement of tomatoes.
According to the Ministry, the targeted centres for release of tomatoes 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.
Key consumption centres in states having higher concentration of the identified centres will be further selected for the intervention, it said.
The ministry mentioned that the periods during July-August and October-November are generally the lean production months for tomatoes.
“July coinciding with the monsoon season, adds to challenges related to distribution and increased transit losses adding to price rise,” it said.