Belagavi
Heavy rainfall across the state has disrupted daily life, particularly impacting tomato prices. In the district, tomato prices have surged, becoming unaffordable for the poor. Distressed by the price hike, locals are opting for alternative sour ingredients in their cooking instead of tomatoes, which are now being sold at Rs 100 to Rs 110 per kilogram. This increase has affected even the lower-income groups who rely heavily on tomatoes for cooking.
The rise in prices is attributed to reduced tomato cultivation as many growers hesitated to plant due to anticipated price drops. With less area dedicated to tomato farming, the yield has decreased, causing prices to rise. The inverse relationship between yield and price is evident here: higher yield lowers prices, while lower yield increases prices. However, the steep price hike has forced the economically disadvantaged to seek substitutes for tomatoes in their meals.
