KURNOOL: Even as people are already burdened by rising fuel and commodity prices, rates of vegetables have hit the roof, forcing low-income people to minimise use of vegetables. Tomatoes in Kurnool retail markets are being sold at Rs 35 per kg, brinjal Rs 40, ladies finger Rs 24, green chilli Rs 32, bitter gourd Rs 30, cauliflower Rs 40, carrot Rs 56, cabbage Rs 25, beans Rs 64, onion Rs 40 and capsicum Rs 60 per kg.
Skyrocketing vegetable prices have forced people to adopt alternative ways of cooking with low vegetables and eggs, says Jessica Rani, a school teacher living in Venkata Ramana colony.
Mariamma, a housewife of Stantanpuram, says life is hard with essential commodities becoming costly. “We just cannot buy tomatoes. We are managing with pappu charu and pickles,” she underlined.
Farida Begum of Bongula Bazar says while meat is upwards of Rs 800, chicken and fish are also costly. Preparing a balanced diet is a challenge with vegetables prices becoming unaffordable, she bemoaned.
Nandikotkur MLA Togur Arthur said he is convening a meeting with agriculture officials to find ways of easing the burden on common people.
Kurnool MLA Hafeez Khan observed that people in turmoil because of Coronavirus have now been thrown into a hapless situation by rising commodity prices.
Substitute tomato with tamarind, advises nutritionist
With tomato prices going through the roof, Sri Latha, a home science graduate and nutritionist, has advised households to introduce tamarind in their diet. “Tamarind pulihora, chutney, and a dash of tamarind juice in sambar will make your diet enjoyable,” she advised. “We can meet all vitamin C requirements from tamarind. Families can use lemon or mango too as substitute for tomato,” Sri Latha added.
