The government is likely to buy tomatoes directly from farmers in regions where prices have crashed due to a bumper crop creating a glut in the local market.
Nepal has exported 6,69,680 kg of tomatoes to India via three border points within two weeks, records at the customs office along the border have shown
Cooperatives NCCF and NAFED will start selling tomatoes at a reduced rate of Rs 40 per kilogram from August 20 amid declining price of the kitchen staple in wholesale and retail markets.
The Government of India has already included some vegetable items, including tomato, produced in Nepal in its quarantine list so as to facilitate its export to India, he said.
According to reports, the consignment, worth roughly Rs 4. 8 lakhs, was handed over to the customs officials for its destruction after being seized on July 7.
Protesting alongside other state Congress leaders, Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress President Beena Naik highlighted the significant surge in vegetable prices and criticized the Central government for its failure to rein in the soaring costs.
BRS leaders celebrated the birthday of Energy Minister G Jagadish Reddy at Suryapet in a unique way by distributing tomatoes to people instead of sweets.