(a) whether it is a fact that tomatoes, onions and potatoes, the three basic vegetables face extreme price volatility;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(c) whether it is a fact that the Government is in a fix in fulfilling its dual objectives of ensuring remunerative prices for farmers and affordable prices for consumers?
THE MINISTER OF STATE
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)
(a) & (b) : Price rise and fall of vegetables, including tomatoes, onions and potatoes, are influenced by their demand and supply which depend on factors like cost of inputs (fertilizers, rural wages), perishability and storability of the produce, transportation cost, loading/ unloading expenses, grading/sorting, wholesaler’s margin, losses during movement, cost and margin of retailers, supply chain constraints like lack of storage and cold chain facilities, artificial shortage created by hoarding and black marketing and adverse weather conditions etc.
(c) : Government strives to ensure remunerative prices for farmers and affordable prices for consumers through its schemes/ programmes.
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