The Centre invited ideas from the public to curb tomato prices due to the following reasons:

• Price volatility and sudden spikes in tomato prices have been a recurring issue, causing distress to consumers.
• Tomatoes are a staple in many Indian dishes and widely consumed, making it essential to stabilize their prices.
• Public participation promotes inclusivity and allows for a diverse range of perspectives to develop effective solutions.
• It encourages transparency and ensures that decisions are made with the input of those directly affected.

To control tomato prices, some measures that can be taken include:

• Promoting cultivation and increasing production of tomatoes to meet the growing demand.
• Implementing sustainable farming techniques to enhance productivity and reduce wastage.
• Improving storage and transportation facilities to minimize post-harvest losses.
• Encouraging farmers to form cooperatives or collectives to enhance bargaining power and reduce the influence of middlemen.
• Enhancing market infrastructure, including establishing modern wholesale markets and cold storage facilities to maintain stable prices.

Overall, the aim is to improve the tomato supply chain and ensure a consistent and affordable availability of tomatoes to consumers.