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Context: A new public stocking policy centred on pulses, edible oils and vegetables is needed to manage unseasonal price hikes.

Challenges associated with current winter crops of India

• Unaffordable high prices of crops: Tomatoes are retailing at upwards of Rs 60 per kg and onions at Rs 40, compared to their corresponding all-India levels of Rs 40 and Rs 30 three months ago. 
• Erratic rain disruptions: Rainfall was overall deficient during the main kharif sowing season from mid-June through August, although less so in the major vegetable-growing hubs of India. 
• Excess rains in September and October, hitting production of both kharif onions and tomatoes, cultivated especially in the Nashik belt. 
• November turned out worse, especially in South India, with the standing kharif tomato crop suffering extensive damage.
• Impacting on inflation and inflation expectations among the public: At a time when the latter already stands elevated costlier crops would only add to the pain points. 
• Rate rebounding makes it all the more difficult for the RBI to continue with its accommodative monetary policy stance. 
• Impact of Climate Change: This is a second successive year when the peninsula has had heavy unseasonal rains in September-October, destroying the harvest-ready kharif crops. 

Way Forward: Needs a new public stocking policy that are more vulnerable to climate and global price risks. Vegetable storage can even be in dehydrated/processed form such as potato flakes, onion paste and tomato puree.

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