With a reduction in the quantity of tomatoes arriving in Chennai's Koyambedu market, South India's largest vegetable market, the price of tomatoes has touched Rs 170 per kilogram here and outskirts in the retail market and the rain in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are being held responsible for this.
In the wholesale market, the price ranges from Rs 120 to Rs 130 per kilogram.
R.K. Kuppusamy, a wholesale trader of tomatoes and potatoes in Koyambedu market told IANS that generally 800 tonnes of tomato load reaches the market on alternate days and now this has sharply come down to 250 tonnes.
The reduced arrival of tomatoes, according to the merchants, is due to the destruction of crops in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh due to heavy rain for the past few weeks in the two states.
The consumption of tomato has also reduced as people prefer to shy away from the vegetable due to the high prices.
Sheeba, a housewife in Ashok Nagar while speaking to IANS said, "We have cut short tomatoes from our vegetable pack. If we feel like buying, we buy for Rs 50 and the purchase of 1 kg of tomatoes is from the good old days.”
Several traders also shared their predicament due to the rising prices of the vegetable and the corresponding reduction in purchase of the vegetable.
Seethanath, a vegetable trader from Teynampet while speaking to IANS said, "It is very difficult for the retail businessmen to survive in this market. Tomato prices are oscillating and we have difficulties in selling the product. I don't know how to move ahead as most families have stopped buying it."
Across Tamil Nadu, tomato has turned costlier and with the advent of rain in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, where the vegetable is cultivated in large quantities.
The Tamil Nadu government had started selling tomatoes at Rs 60 per kg through Public Distribution System (PDS) shops. However, consumers said that the quality of the tomatoes was poor and that most who wanted to buy tomatoes depended upon the public market.
G. Manonamani, a housewife at Adayar in Chennai while speaking to IANS said, "The price of tomatoes has touched high and the government intervened by selling tomatoes through PDS shops. I am very sorry to say that it was better for the government not to sell tomatoes as the quality of the product is too bad and we still prefer to buy from retail markets even though price is on the higher side."
The traders are also worried that the soaring price of tomatoes would take away the consumers from the vegetable. The continuing rain in Andhra and Karnataka is a major problem that haunts the traders as the volume of tomato that was coming to Kerala has dipped and this would continue in the coming few weeks if product is not available at cultivating areas.
R .Najimuddeen, a wholesale trader in Koyambedu market while speaking to IANS said, "We feel that with continuing crop loss in Karnataka and Andhra where tomato farming is extensively done, the market prices of tomatoes is likely to increase creating immense difficulties for both the traders and the consumers."
In a first, 9 Tripura youths get nursing caregiver jobs in Japan
For the first time, nine youths from Tripura have got jobs in Japan as nursing caregivers and 60 more candidates would go to the East Asian country in the next financial year (2025-26) for work, officials said here on Saturday.
108-year-old Tripura Palace to turn into 5-star hotel; deal signed amid protests by allies, Oppn
Despite vehement protests by the ruling BJP's ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and the Opposition, the Tripura government on Friday signed an agreement with the Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL) to make the 108-year-old Pushpabanta Palace in Agartala a 5-star hotel.
Tripura CM tells police, lawyers to increase conviction rate
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday asked the top police officers, law enforcement agencies, lawyers, and other stakeholders to take all steps to increase the conviction rates.
Govt working to develop Bankul as most attractive tourist spot in Tripura: CM Dr Manik Saha
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday inaugurated the 78th Bankul Mahamuni festival of the Buddhists community in the Buddha temple at Sabroom Manubankul and said that the government has taken initiative to develop Bankul as one of the most attractive tourist spots of the state.
PM Modi led Govt given special importance to socio-economic development and self-empowerment of women: CM Dr Manik Saha
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday inaugurated the state level celebration of the International Women’s Day here at Agartala Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan and said that the government has given special importance to the socio-economic development and self-empowerment of women of the country.
THRC seeks report from DGP over FIR refusal
The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has directed Director General of Police (DGP) Amitabh Ranjan to investigate allegations that police personnel in North Tripura refused to register an FIR and to submit a report by April 24.
Outrage over puppy killing video, Minister orders arrest
A harrowing case of animal cruelty in Tripura’s Khowai district has triggered widespread outrage after a disturbing video of a youth brutally killing a puppy surfaced on social media.
Govt forms Internal Complaint Committees for women’s safety: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that the present state government is working to give real respect to women and to achieve this, Internal Complaint Committees have been formed in all government and private offices to prevent sexual harassment of women at the workplace.