Tomato prices will decline if you quit eating: UP Minister Pratibha Shukla

Mangalore Today News Network

Lucknow, July 24, 2023: As tomatoes remain elusive for a significant section of the people due to above-the-roof prices, Uttar Pradesh minister Pratibha Shukla said one could quit consuming tomatoes as it would “bring down the prices”.

She said cutting down on expensive items would lower the price as nobody would buy them.

 

"Cutting down on expensive items will naturally lower the prices. If nobody buys them (tomatoes), it will lead to a reduction in costs to prevent wastages,” said the minister.

She said tomatoes were usually expensive, especially during this season, adding that, to contain inflation, one could consider maintaining gardens and planting tomatoes in pots as a possible solution.

The minister also said lemons could be an alternative to “expensive” tomatoes.

"To reduce expenses, consider planting tomatoes in pots. A village maintains a nutrition garden, where women transform the backyard into a garden and grow vegetables. Now, they no longer need to buy vegetables as they cook what they grow," the minister added.

The sudden and drastic surge in tomato prices has had a profound impact on millions of households across the country, exerting financial strain on their budgets or compelling them to curtail their consumption.

To put the price rise into perspective, a single tomato now costs close to what a kilogram would have a few months ago.

Delayed monsoon, inadequate production and extreme heat have been cited as key reasons behind the increase in tomato prices across the country.

Courtesy: India Today